The Effect of Copper Addition on the Fluidity and Viscosity of an Al-Mg-Si Alloy

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Cu addition on the fluidity and viscosity of Al-%15Mg(2)Si in-situ metal matrix composite. The flowability of the composites was studied by measuring strip fluidity, cast in a permanent mold. The effect of casting parameters such as casting and mold temperatures on fluidity was studied. After obtaining an optimum condition for casting and mold temperatures, the effect of Cu addition on the fluidity and viscosity was studied. DSC thermal analysis was applied for studying the effect of Cu on solidification characteristics. Also, composites were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that casting fluidity of composites increases with the increase of mold and melt temperatures, but decreases with increase of Cu addition. Similarly, the viscosity of composites was increased by adding Cu content. The main effect of Cu was on the solidification mode.