Aluminum alloys are the most important part of all shaped castings manufactured, especially in the aerospace and automotive industries. This work focuses on the corrosion properties of the heat-hardening aluminum alloys commonly used for production of automotive castings AlSi7Mg0.3 and on self-hardening AlZn10Si8Mg. Iron is a common impurity in aluminum cast alloy and its content increases by using secondary aluminum alloys. Therefore, experimental materials were developed, with chemical composition according to standards (primary alloys) and in states with an increasing content of Fe. The experimental aluminum alloys are briefly discussed in terms of their chemical composition, microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior. Corrosion properties were examined using three types of corrosion tests: exposure test, potentiodynamic tests, and Audi tests. Corrosion characteristics of materials were evaluated using stereo, optical and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, too. Correlation of pit initiation sites with microstructural features revealed the critical role of iron-rich phases, silicon particles and corresponding alloy matrix.

Thermomechanically processed high-strength steels feature specific fracture behavior. One of the decisive criteria for their application is their stability against internal defects during impact loads, especially in connection with the welding. The work is focused on experimental analyses of the influence of welding on static and dynamic fracture toughness of Strenx 700MC steel. The fracture toughness was determined using the circumferentially notched round bar specimens during static loads and two dynamic load levels. To achieve a homogeneous zone for the requirements of fracture toughness tests, simulation of the welding influence was performed. Fractographic and metallographic analyses described a specific fracture behavior controlled by the internal structural heterogeneity. A limiting degradation process due to welding was identified by the microstructural analysis.

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Abstract

The research focuses on elastic-plastic behaviour of welded joints of materials which are commonly used in both constructional practice and the automotive industry. The examined welded joints are oriented to a common constructional S355 and a modern high-strength steel DOMEX 700MC.The main tool for the assessment of the elastic-plastic response was the methodology based on the instrumented penetration testing with the use of a cylindrical indenter. The indentation tool was applied into narrow zones of welded boundaries. These zones represent critical areas of welded constructions because of a changing structure and different mechanical properties than the basic material possesses. The indentation data were recalculated to the mechanical properties in shear with the help of Hencky ́s hypotheses about material behaviour. The correctness of the used methodology was verified by a tensile test. The aim of the work is to determine optimal methods for defining a yield strength and to find a hardening trend in the zones. The comparison of these steels revealed different changes due to the welding process. A substantial decrease of the yield strength of Domex700MC was observed, as a contrary to a stable, or partially increased, yield strength of the S355 steel. Structural analyses revealed a different material response of the evaluated steels, according to a different hardness in the heat affected zone.