High‐Temperature Tensile Fractography of Zr‐, Ni‐, and Mn‐Containing Al‐Si‐Cu‐Mg Cast Alloys

Abstract

This study investigated the fracture behavior of 0.3% Zr-containing 354 alloy following the addition of 0.75% Mn or 2%Ni. The examined surfaces were obtained from tensile testing of the bars at 250°C. For each alloy, the test bar samples were examined in the T6-treated conditions after being exposed to 250°C for 1 and 200 hours. The fracture surface of the base alloy (0.3% Zr-containing 354 alloy) after stabilization for one hour at 250°C reveals a dimpled structure throughout, indicating the ductile nature of the fracture mode. The Alx (Zr, Ti)Si complex compound is observed with star-like and blocky morphologies, with cracks appearing in various particles of this compound. By increasing the stabilization time up to 200 hours, coarser and deeper dimples are formed, highlighting the increased ductility of the alloy due to the softening behavior associated with the prolonged exposure at 250°C. In the one-hour stabilized T6-treated condition alloy containing 2% Ni tested at 250°C, the appearance of microcracks in the Ni-rich phases and the lower density of dimples on the fracture surface compared to those observed in the base alloy emphasize the low ductility of alloy due to Ni-containing intermetallics. Examination of the fracture surface of Mn-containing alloys revealed the advantageous role of sludge particles in resisting the propagation of cracks that developed in many intermetallic phases.

Effect of Zr Addition and Aging Treatment on the Tensile Properties of Al-Si-Cu-Mg Cast Alloys

“…The T6-temper treatment was selected due to its wide use in the automotive industry. The BSE image shown in Figure 12(a) [41] shows the fracture surface of the tensile-tested alloy in the T6-treated condition. The fracture surface [41].…”

“…Figure 13(a) [41] shows the fracture surface of the T6-treated B alloy tested at 250°C after stabilization for 200 h at the testing temperature. The dimple structure is coarser compared to that before stabilization at 250°C.…”

“…Figure 12. Fracture surface of T6-treated alloy B: (a) BSE image showing a uniform dimple structure and cracked particles (arrowed), (b) EDS spectrum corresponding to the point of interest in (a), and (c) high magnification BSE image showing a cracked Al-Si-Ti-Zr particle (arrowed)[41].…”