Effect of Fe and Mn Content on the Microstructures and Tensile Behaviour of AlSi7Cu3 Alloy: Thermal Analysis and Tensile Tests

The present study was performed on two AlSi7Cu3 alloys with different Fe and Mn contents (standard alloy high-Fe/Mn alloy). evolution of microstructures during solidification the standard investigated by thermal analysis interrupted quenching test. effect content reaction sequence were studied. results show that increasing changes precipitation iron-intermetallic α-Al15 (Fe,Mn)3Si2 β-Al5FeSi, leading to α + β phases at a higher temperature. Microstructural characterizations also fully solidified microstructure alloy. found promote formation Fe-intermetallics. With increase Fe/Mn content, Fe-intermetallics increased in both size amount, while more small pores (Feret diameter < 200 µm) introduced. 3D networks α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2 β-Al5FeSi revealed Lab X-ray Computed Tomography, however, it is difficult perform quantitative respective volume fraction phase from their morphology. Monotonic tensile tests mechanical properties studied not sensitive fractography reveals cracks growth final fracture under monotonic load are prone occur through eutectic Si, Al2Cu iron-intermetallics than aluminium matrix.