Machines. Technologies. Materials.
Vol. 19 (2025), Issue 5, pg(s) 191-194

MATERIALS

Influence of iron and manganese on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy castings

  • 1 Silesian University of Technology, Poland
  • 2 Superior Industries Production Poland Sp. z o.o., Poland

Abstract

The study concerns cooling curves of AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy, into which iron (in the form of Al-Fe master alloy – as a substitute for scrap) was introduced with a content of 0.5 to 1.5wt.%. Crystallization analysis by ATD and microstructure studies of Al-Si-Mg(Fe) alloys revealed that up to approximately 0.4wt.% Fe, the formation of iron phases does not significantly affect the microstructure. They are part of multicomponent eutectics such as α(Al)+(Al2Cu,Fe)+β(Si) or α(Al)+(AlXFe;CuYSiZ)+β(Si), which crystallize after the formation of the α(Al)+β(Si) eutectic. In the range of about 0.5wt.%Fe to 0.9wt.%Fe, there is a pre-eutectic crystallization of iron phases, mainly the lamellar-neutectic phase β-Al5FeSi. At more than 1.0wt.%Fe, the morphology of this phase becomes even more unfavorable (due to primary crystallization) and is accompanied by numerous clusters of shrinkage porosity. Such a microstructure has an adverse effect on mechanical properties, primarily affecting plastic properties (yield strength and elongation). To prevent this, the positive impact of manganese additive (in the form of AlMn20 master alloy) was found to transform the morphologically unfavorable β-Al5FeSi phase into α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2 phase with dendritic structure.

Keywords

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