Effects of silicon content on microstructure and stress corrosion cracking resistance of 7050 aluminum alloy

Evolution of microstructure and stress corrosion cracking （SCC） susceptibility of 7050 aluminum alloy with 0.094%, 0.134% and 0.261% Si （mass fraction） in T7651 condition have been investigated. The results show that the area fraction of Mg2Si increases from 0.16% to 1,48% and the size becomes coarser, while the area fraction of the other coarse phases including Al2CuMg, Mg（Al,Cu,Zn）2 and A17Cu2Fe decreases from 2.42% to 0.78% with Si content increasing from 0.094% to 0.261%. The tensile strength and elongation of 7050-T7651 alloys is decreased with the increase of Si content by slow strain rate test （SSRT） in ambient air. However, electrical conductivity is improved and SCC susceptibility is reduced with the increase of Si content by SSRT in corrosion environment with 3.5% NaCl solution.

Microstructure and properties of high silicon aluminum alloy with 2% Fe prepared by rheo-casting

The morphology changes of both Fe-containing intermetallic compounds and the primary Si phase of Al-20Si-2Fe- 2Cu-0.4Mg-1.0Ni-0.5Mn （mass fraction, %） alloy produced by semi-solid rheo-diecasting were studied. The semi-solid slurry of high silicon aluminum alloy was prepared by direct ultrasonic vibration （DUV） which was imposed on the alloy near the liquidus temperature for about 2 rain. Then, standard test samples of 6.4 mm in diameter were formed by semi-solid rheo-diecasting. The results show that the DUV treatment suppresses the formation of needle-like ,β-Al5（Fe,Mn）Si phase, and the Fe-containing intermetallic compounds exist in the form of fine Al4（Fe, Mn）Si2 particles. Additionally, the primary Si grows up as fine and round particles with uniform distribution in α（Al） matrix of this alloy under DUV treatment. The tensile strengths of the samples at the room temperature and 573 K are 230 MPa and 145 MPa, respectively. The coefficient of thermal expansion （CTE） between 25 ℃ and 300 ℃ is 16.052 8×10^-6 ℃^-1, and the wear rate is 1.55%. The hardness of this alloy with 2% Fe reaches HB146.3. It is discovered that modified morphology and uniform distribution of the Fe-containing intermetallic compounds and the primary Si phase are the main reasons for reducing the CTE and increasing the wear resistance of this alloy.

Microstructural analyses of aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloys welded by pulsed Nd: YAG laser welding

Revealing grains and very fine dendrites in a solidified weld metal of aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloys is difficult and thus,there is no evidence to validate the micro-and meso-scale physical models for hot cracks. In this research, the effect of preheating on the microstructure and hot crack creation in the pulsed laser welding of AA 6061 was investigated by an optical microscope and field emission electron microscopy. Etching was carried out in the gas phase using fresh Keller’s reagent for 600 s. The results showed that the grain size of the weld metal was proportional to the grain size of the base metal and was independent of the preheating temperature. Hot cracks passed the grain boundaries of the weld and the base metal. Lower solidification rates in the preheated samples led to coarser arm spacing;therefore, a lower cooling rate. Despite the results predicted by the micro and meso-scale models, lower cooling rates resulted in increased hot cracks. The cracks could grow in the weld metal after solidification;therefore, hot cracks were larger than predicted by the hot crack prediction models.

Influence of hydrogen content on the behavior of grain reflnement in hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy

Dissolved hydrogen is harmful to mechanical properties of refinedhypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys. In the present work, by using a stepped-form mold and thehydrogen-detecting instrument HYSCAN II, the relationship between the initial hydrogen content inthe melt and the refinement effect on the casting of hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy wasinvestigated. The experimental results show that the cooling rate, the hydrogen content and thegrain refinement effect are three interactive factors. When the hydrogen content is above 0.20mL/100 g and the cooling rate is lower than that in 50 mm-thick step, hydrogen dissolved in thealloy melt influences the grain refinement effect. With increasing the cooling rate, the criticalhydrogen content increases too. It is expected that much hydrogen in the melt make the netinterfacial energy larger than or equal to zero, resulting in the shielding of the particles AlPduring solidification and that the critical gas content is closely related to the critical radius ofembryo bubbles.

Hydrogen Content and Porosity Behavior of Hypereutectic Aluminum-silicon Alloy with Phosphorus

By making castings that pick up gas from moisture in red sand molds,the porosity generated at different cooling rates was discussed during solidification of hypereutectic Al-25%Si alloy without and with phosphorus additions. The effect of phosphorus addition on hydrogen content in the melt was also studied. It was observed that the phosphorus addition made hydrogen content in alloy melts present a “see-saw' tendency.In addition to primary silicon refinement,the phosphorus promoted gas porosity formed not only in slowly cooled sections, but also in rapidly cooled sections. There was a small difference in density of full dense sample between P-refined and unrefined castings, with a larger density associated with phosphorous addition. The change of the surface tension seemed more reasonable to explain the mechanism of porosity behavior.

Machining studies of die cast aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites

Metal matrix composites （MMCs） with high specific stiffness, high strength, improved wear resistance, and thermal properties are being increasingly used in advanced structural, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and wear applications. Aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites were developed using a new combination of the vortex method and the pressure die-casting technique in the present work. Machining studies were conducted on the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide （SiC） composite work pieces using high speed steel （HSS） end-mill tools in a milling machine at different speeds and feeds. The quantitative studies on the machined work piece show that the surface finish is better for higher speeds and lower feeds. The surface roughness of the plain aluminum alloy is better than that of the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites. The studies on tool wear show that flank wear increases with speed and feed. The end-mill tool wear is higher on machining the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites than on machining the plain aluminum alloy.

WEAR PERFORMANCE AND MECHANISM OF ZINC-ALUMINUM（ZA27）ALLOY

ZA27 alloy has the best performance and the widest applications in high aluminum zinc based die casting alloy series. One of its main applica-tions is used as abrasion resistant alloy,instead of nonferrous alloys such as copper alloy.The frictional wear p

Modification Effect of P+Sr+Ce Compound on Microstructure and Properties of Cast High Silicon Heat-Resist Aluminum Alloy

The P ＋ Sr ＋ Ce compound modification technologies of as-cast Al-21Si-1.5Cu-1.5Ni- 2.5Fe- 0.5Mg alloy were investigated by means of orthogonal test. Orthogonal test results show that 3% （CaH2PO4 ＋ 2CASO4）＋ 0.2%Sr ＋ 0.2%Ce is the optimum additive of modification treatment which can fine eutectic and primary silicon also can change the form of rich-iron phase at same time. The needle form of rich-iron phase is Al9FeSi3, which is prored by X-ray diffraction analysis and X-ray energy spectrum analysis. After compound modification treatment, the needle form of rich-iron phase disappeared and the fish bone form of rich-iron and rich-Ce phase that is AlsCeFe emerged. Both at room temperature and at 300℃, the tensile strength of the alloy after the modification treatment with the optimum additive is 30% lager than that of the alloy unmodified. Observed by SEM, the brittle intercrystalline tensile fracture changed into a blended one in which has many dimples.

A High-Fe Aluminum Matrix Welding Filler Metal for Hardfacing Aluminum-Silicon Alloys

A high Fe containing aluminum matrix filler metal for hardfacing aluminum silicon alloys has been developed by using iron,nickel,and silicon as the major strengthening elements,and by measuring mechanical properties,room temperature and high temperature wear tests,and microstructural analysis.The filler metal,which contains 3.0%-5.0% Fe and 11.0%-13.0% Si,exhibits an excellent weldability.The as cast and as welded microstructures for the filler metal are of uniformly distribution and its dispersed network of hard phase is enriched with Al Si Fe Ni.The filler metal shows high mechanical properties and wear resistance at both room temperature and high temperatures.The deposited metal has a better resistance to impact wear at 220℃ than that of substrate Al Si Mg Cu piston alloy;at room temperature,the deposited metal has an equivalent resistance to slide wear with lubrication as that of a hyper eutectic aluminum silicon alloy with 27% Si and 1% Ni.

Effect of heat diffusion on properties of zinc-aluminum coating on AZ91D magnesium alloys

A protecting zinc and aluminum coating on the surface of AZ91D magnesium alloys was obtained by thermal spraying to improve the corrosion and wear resistance performances. In order to enhance the combination between magnesium alloy matrix and zinc and aluminum coating, the sample was heat-treated at 300℃for 2 h, then, the cross-section patterns, XRD pattern, micro-hardness, wear and corrosion resistance abilities were researched. The results indicate that the interface between the coating and substrate is metallurgical bond, and a transitional fusion layer is formed by diffusion. The micro-scale abrasion test and polarization test in 3% NaCl solution show that the diffusion-treated specimen has better wear and corrosion resistance performances in comparison with the undiffusion-treated and substrate magnesium alloys; in addition, it has relatively higher micro-hardness than the undiffusion-treated magnesium alloys.

Study on phosphating treatment of aluminum alloy:role of yttrium oxide

Zinc phosphate coatings formed on 6061-Al alloy, after dipping in phosphating solutions containing different amounts of Y2O3（yttrium oxide）, were studied by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and electrochemical measurements. Significant variations in the morphology and corrosion resistance afforded by zinc phosphate coating were especially observed as Y2O3 in phosphating solution varied from 0 to 40 mg/L. The addition of Y2O3 changed the initial potential of the interface between aluminum alloy substrate and phosphating solution and increased the number of nucleation sites. The phosphate coating thereby was less porous structure and covered the surface of aluminum alloy completely within short phosphating time. Phosphate coating was mainly composed of Zn3（PO4）2·4H2O （hopeite） and AlPO4（aluminum phosphate）. Y2O3, as an additive of phosphatization, accelerated precipitation and refined the gain size of phosphate coating. The corrosion resistance of zinc phosphate coating in 3% NaCl solution was improved as shown by polarization measurement. In the present research, the optimal amount of Y2O3 was 10-20 mg/L, and the optimal phosphating time was 600 s.

Evolution of insoluble eutectic Si particles in anodic oxidation films during adipic–sulfuric acid anodizing processes of ZL114A aluminum alloys

The effects of insoluble eutectic Si particles on the growth of anodic oxide films on ZL114A aluminum alloy substrates were in- vestigated by optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The anodic oxidation was performed at 25℃ and a con- stant voltage of 15 V in a solution containing 50 g/L sulfuric acid and 10 g/L adipic acid. The thickness of the formed anodic oxidation film was approximately 7.13 μm. The interpore distance and the diameters of the major pores in the porous layer of the film were within the ap- proximate ranges of 10~20 nm and 5-10 nm, respectively. Insoluble eutectic Si particles strongly influenced the morphology of the anodic oxidation films. The anodic oxidation films exhibited minimal defects and a uniform thickness on the ZL114A substrates; in contrast, when the front of the oxide oxidation films encountered eutectic Si particles, defects such as pits and non-uniform thickness were observed, and pits were observed in the films.

Effect of magnesium on the aluminothermic reduction rate of zinc oxide obtained from spent alkaline battery anodes for the preparation of Al–Zn–Mg alloys

The aluminothermic reduction of zinc oxide（ZnO） from alkaline battery anodes using molten Al may be a good option for the elaboration of secondary 7000-series alloys. This process is affected by the initial content of Mg within molten Al, which decreases the surface tension of the molten metal and conversely increases the wettability of ZnO particles. The effect of initial Mg concentration on the aluminothermic reduction rate of ZnO was analyzed at the following values： 0.90wt%, 1.20wt%, 4.00t%, 4.25wt%, and 4.40wt%. The ZnO particles were incorporated by mechanical agitation using a graphite paddle inside a bath of molten Al maintained at a constant temperature of 1123 K and at a constant agitation speed of 250 r/min, the treatment time was 240 min and the ZnO particle size was 450？500 mesh. The results show an increase in Zn concentration in the prepared alloys up to 5.43wt% for the highest initial concentration of Mg. The reaction products obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the efficiency of the reaction was measured on the basis of the different concentrations of Mg studied.

Design and Analysis of MEMS Based Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Cantilever with Different Substrate Materials for Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesters Using COMSOL Multiphysics Software

Interest in energy harvesters has grown rapidly over the last decade. The cantilever shaped piezoelectric energy harvesting beam is one of the most employed designs, due to its simplicity and flexibility for further performance enhancement. The research effort in the MEMS Piezoelectric vibration energy harvester designed using three types of cantilever materials, Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3), Aluminum Nitride (AlN) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) with different substrate materials: aluminum, steel and silicon using COMSOL Multiphysics package were designed and analyzed. Voltage, mechanical power and electrical power versus frequency for different cantilever materials and substrates were modeled and simulated using Finite element method (FEM). The resonant frequencies of the LiNbO3/Al, AlN/Al and ZnO/Al systems were found to be 187.5 Hz, 279.5 Hz and 173.5 Hz, respectively. We found that ZnO/Al system yields optimum voltage and electrical power values of 8.2 V and 2.8 mW, respectively. For ZnO cantilever on aluminum, steel and silicon substrates, we found the resonant frequencies to be 173.5 Hz, 170 Hz and 175 Hz, respectively. Interestingly, ZnO/steel yields optimal voltage and electrical power values of 9.83 V and 4.02 mW, respectively. Furthermore, all systems were studied at different differentiate frequencies. We found that voltage and electrical power have increased as the acceleration has increased.

不同镀层板的电阻点焊腐蚀行为

[目的]研究点焊对不同镀层板腐蚀行为的影响。[方法]对镀锌板和镀锌铝镁板进行电阻点焊,采用扫描电镜和能谱仪分析了点焊部位的微观形貌和元素分布。通过中性盐雾试验和电化学阻抗谱测试研究了两种板材点焊前后在相同环境下的腐蚀行为。[结果]点焊镀锌板的焊点边缘存在大量凸起和凹坑,而点焊镀锌铝镁板的焊点边缘无明显的凸起和凹坑。二者的焊点位置Zn元素挥发明显,均有部分基体裸露。无论点焊与否,镀锌板在中性盐雾试验中的耐腐蚀能力都不如镀锌铝镁板。[结论]电阻点焊容易导致镀层局部破损,影响镀层的耐蚀性。

ECAP变形及半固态等温处理对Al-25%Si合金组织和性能的影响

对铸态Al-25%Si合金进行等通道转角挤压(ECAP),并结合半固态等温处理技术,研究了ECAP挤压及半固态等温处理工艺参数对合金微观组织和室温拉伸性能的影响。利用光学显微镜观察分析微观组织,拉伸试验机测试室温拉伸性能,以及扫描电子显微镜分析断口形貌。研究结果表明,ECAP变形能够有效地细化Al-25%Si合金中的初生硅相,其平均直径由铸态的117.9μm降至31.9μm,同时形状因子也由0.12提升至0.40。ECAP后的常温力学性能也得到明显提升,其抗拉强度也由铸态的96 MPa提升至200 MPa,伸长率由1.04%提升至3.25%。在半固态加热过程中,初生硅的形状因子随等温温度的提升和时间的延长呈先增后降的趋势。在590℃保温10min,其形状因子最高为0.62。

冷却速率对Al-50%Si合金微观组织的影响

采用熔体水淬法(水冷法)、气雾化法和单辊熔融纺丝技术(甩带法)制备不同冷却速率的快速凝固过共晶Al-50%Si合金,并通过扫描电子显微镜(scanning electron microscope,SEM)和X射线衍射仪(X-ray diffractometer,XRD)分析了快速凝固与常规凝固的差异,以及快速凝固Al-50%Si合金微观组织的演变。结果表明:在水冷的Al-50%Si合金组织中观察到了树枝状的Al相,较大的过冷度导致这种亚共晶组织的形成,此组织属于非稳定状态,且共晶Si完全细化至纤维状;随着冷却速率的增加,在甩带试样中Al相的树枝状组织消失;通过甩带以及气雾化制备的Al-50%Si合金中,初晶Si颗粒被明显细化,由常规凝固的200μm细化至20μm左右,使Si在Al基体中的固溶度增大,造成Al基体晶格发生畸变。

Effects of cooling rate on solution heat treatment of as-cast A356 alloy

The effect of cooling rate of the solidification process on the following solution heat treatment of A356 alloy was investigated,where the cooling rates of 96 K/s and 3 K/s were obtained by the step-like metal mold.Then the eutectic silicon morphology evolution and tensile properties of the alloy samples were observed and analyzed after solution heat treatment at 540 °C for different time.The results show that the high cooling rate of the solidification process can not only reduce the solid solution heat treatment time to rapidly modify the eutectic silicon morphology,but also improve the alloy tensile properties.Specially,it is found that the disintegration,the spheroidization and coarsening of eutectic silicon of A356 alloy are completed during solution heat treatment through two stages,i.e.,at first,the disintegration and spheroidization of the eutectic silicon mainly takes place,then the eutectic silicon will coarsen.

高温溶解法制备铝磷变质剂及变质效果研究

采用高温溶解法制得Al-P合金,AlP的平均尺寸约为5μm。研究了冷却速度对Al-P合金凝固组织的影响规律,发现降低冷却速度会导致AlP析出长大,不利于获得细小的AlP;提高冷却速度会导致AlP开裂,这种裂纹的产生有利于获得更加细小的AlP,有利于变质处理。Al-P合金对过共晶铝硅合金具有较好的变质效果,能够将Al-15%Si合金初生硅尺寸细化到16.56μm。

不同厚度锌铝镁合金镀层的耐腐蚀性能

[目的]锌铝镁(Zn-Al-Mg)合金镀层作为一种新型高耐蚀性镀层,其厚度对耐蚀性具有显著影响。[方法]通过辉光放电光谱仪(GDS)、扫描电镜(SEM)、电化学工作站等仪器测试,对比了Zn-Al-Mg合金镀覆量为80、120和180 g/m^(2)的镀锌钢(分别用ZM80、ZM120和ZM180表示)在中性盐雾环境下的耐蚀性。[结果]ZM80、ZM120和ZM180在中性盐雾试验中出现红锈的时间分别为840、1176和1512 h。三者的腐蚀过程包括钝化膜保护、锌层阻隔保护、锌层电偶保护和基体腐蚀4个阶段,其中钝化膜的保护作用与其均匀性有较大关联。ZM120和ZM180的划叉试样在不同时间段的红锈面积与未划叉试样相比无明显区别,这主要归因于Zn-Al-Mg合金镀层在破损区域形成的致密腐蚀产物有效减缓了腐蚀进程。[结论]不同厚度Zn-Al-Mg合金镀层的防腐能力不同,实际生产中可以根据应用场景选择镀层厚度合适的镀锌铝镁合金钢。