Evaluation of damage after straining in a heat treated thixoformed aluminium alloy

The Al-Si-Cu thixocast alloys have mechanical properties superior to those of the cast alloy. The improvement in mechanical performance occurs during the thixocast process and can be further improved with traditional heat treatments. In this study, thixocast bars were heat-treated to the T6 condition and tensile-tested at room temperature. The particle damage, which occurs during plastic deformation, consists of fracture and debonding of silicon particles. Statistical analysis has pointed out how the fraction of damaged particles is influenced by the strain level and ageing treatments performed before deformation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.