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 min. 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 beta-Al-5(Fe,Mn)Si phase, and the Fe-containing intermetallic compounds exist in the form of fine Al-4(Fe, Mn)Si-2 particles. Additionally, the primary Si grows up as fine and round particles with uniform distribution in alpha(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 degrees C and 300 degrees C is 16.052 8x10(-6) degrees C-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.