Effect of heat-treatment and reinforcement with silicon carbide on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Fe-V-Si alloy

Abstract

The aging response of Al-Fe-V-Si composite was compared with the un-reinforced alloy. The effects of solutionizing time, alloying element and SiC reinforcement on the age hardening response, microstructure and mechanical properties of these alloy and its composites was also investigated. The study was performed by T6 heat treatment at three different solutionizing times. Room temperature tensile testing was conducted for peak aged specimens to determine the effect of this heat treatment on the strength of squeezed cast un-reinforced and reinforced Al-Fe-V-Si alloy with SiC particles. The presence of SiC particles accelerated the aging kinetics of the composites compared to the unreinforced alloys. The time to reach peak age hardness was decreased by addition of SiCp. Mainly two different Fe-intermetallics; small alpha-Al-7(Fe,V)(3)Si and large beta-Al18Fe11Si phases were present in the system studied. The fracture surfaces of composites revealed decohesion of SiC particles from the matrix and cracking of needle like-P intermetallics was observed.