Compressive failure analysis of in-situ Al-Mg2Si composites: Experiment and finite element modelling

Al-Mg2Si composites have been developed through gravity die-casting techniques. The influence of Mg2Si reinforcement concentration on strength, micromechanics and failure initiation of AlMg2Si composites subjected to compression has been studied. The compressive strength and brittle fracture of the Al-Mg2Si composite increase and strain decrease with an increase in Mg2Si concentration. The eutectic and primary Mg2Si phase sharp corners and narrow sections of Mg2Si are fracture initiation sites, and the Al phase nearby the eutectic and Mg2Si phase sharp corners and narrow Al phase regions between two Mg2Si islands are void initiation sites in the composites subjected to compression.

Automated summary

Al-Mg2Si composites were developed using gravity die-casting techniques. The influence of Mg2Si reinforcement concentration on the strength, micromechanics, and failure initiation of the AlMg2Si composites under compression was studied. The compressive strength and brittle fracture of the Al-Mg2Si composite increase, while the strain decreases with higher Mg2Si concentration. The eutectic and primary Mg2Si phase sharp corners and narrow sections serve as fracture initiation sites, while the Al phase nearby the eutectic and Mg2Si phase sharp corners, as well as the narrow Al phase regions between two Mg2Si islands, act as void initiation sites in the composites under compression.