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Effect of Severe Plastic Deformation and Subsequent Silicon Spheroidizing Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an Al–Si–Mg Alloy
Author(s) -
Haghdadi Nima,
ZareiHanzaki Abbas,
Kawasaki Megumi,
Phillion Andre B.,
Hodgson Peter D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced engineering materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1527-2648
pISSN - 1438-1656
DOI - 10.1002/adem.201700064
Subject(s) - materials science , alloy , severe plastic deformation , microstructure , ductility (earth science) , metallurgy , extrusion , silicon , deformation (meteorology) , redistribution (election) , composite material , creep , politics , political science , law
This study investigated the synergetic effects of severe plastic deformation and subsequent heat treatment on the characteristics of an A356 alloy. The severe deformation by accumulative back extrusion (ABE) at 300 °C substantially refined the α–Al primary phase and Si particles, but did not homogeneously redistribute the Si particles. ABE also improved the strength but did not enhance the ductility. To make a compromise between strength and ductility, a subsequent heat treatment at 540 °C was carried out. It was shown that severe plastic deformation substantially accelerated the silicon spheroidization. Heat treatment increased the ductility of the material from ∼8% (in the deformed condition) to ∼15%. This was discussed with emphasis on restoration of the matrix, spheroidization of the Si particles, and redistribution of the Si particles within the α–Al matrix.