Effect of the Delay in Time Between Cooling and Aging in Heat-Treated Cast Aluminum Alloys

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science Process metallurgy and materials processing science, 2011-10, Vol.42 (5), p.1023-1030
• Main Authors: Carrera, Efrén, Alejandro González, J., Talamantes-Silva, José, Colás, Rafael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Aluminum alloys; Aluminum base alloys; Applied sciences; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cooling; Delay; Exact sciences and technology; Heat; Heat treatment; Intermetallic compounds; Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Metallic Materials; Metals. Metallurgy; Microstructure; Nanotechnology; Process metallurgy; Production of metals; Structural Materials; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Time; Ultimate tensile strength
• ISSN: 1073-5615; 1543-1916
• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-011-9534-1

The mechanical properties of cast aluminum alloys can be affected by the delay in time involved between the stages of rapid cooling after solubilization (quenching) and aging. This effect was studied on samples from three different Al-Si alloys that were cast with a wide range of microstructures. It was found that the parameter that exerts the highest influence on the mechanical properties is the degree of microstructural refining, which is referred to dendrite arm spacing, as a finer structure enhances the strength and ductility. It was found that the yield strength and total elongation, and to a lesser extend the ultimate tensile strength, are affected by the delay in time. The material that was treated to the peak-aged condition was found to be more susceptible to the reduction in mechanical properties with the increase in the delay in time.