Evaluation of the Effect of Holding Temperature and Time of SIMA Process on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloy 2024

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

Kerman Graduate University of Technology

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of holding temperature and time of semi-solid SIMA process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy 2024 and to compare it with T6 heat treatment. The results of scanning electron microscopy, EDX analysis and metallographic techniques showed that an increase in holding temperature and holding time would first lead to an increase in sphericity and then a decrease is observed. This process led to an increased formation of continuous eutectic microconstituent in the grain boundaries and also more cavities. The optimum cases represented an increase of 116% in elongation and 44% in toughness, and a decrease of 3.7% in strength and 5.5% in hardness in comparison with T6 heat treated sample. The results indicated the positive effects of SIMA process on the mechanical properties.

Keywords


1. Choi J.C., Park H.J., "Microstructural Characteristics of Aluminum 2024 by Cold Working in the SIMA Process", Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 82, pp. 107-116, (1998).
2. Hang T., Kapranos P., "Thixoforming of Laminate Made From Semi-Solid Cast Strips", Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 157, pp. 508-512, (2004).
3. Hang T., Kapranos P., "Billetless Simple Thixoforming Process", Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 130, pp. 581-586, (2002).
4. Rikhtegar F., Ketabchi M., "Investigation of Mechanical Properties of 7075 Al Alloy Formed by Forward Thixoextrusion Process", Materials and Design, Vol. 31, pp. 3943-3948, (2010).
5. Atkinson H.V., Burke K., Vaneetveld G., "Recrystallization in the Semi-Solid State in 7075 Aluminum Alloy", Materials Science and Engineering: A, Vol. 490, pp. 266-276, (2008).
6. Arami H., Khalifehzadeh R., Keyvan H., Khomamizadeh F., "Effect of Predeformation and Heat Treatment Conditions in the SIMA Process on Microstructural and Mechanical properties of A319 Aluminum Alloy", Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 468, pp. 130-135, (2009).
7. Bolouri A., Shahmiri M., Kang C.G., "Study on the Effects of the Compression Ratio and Mushy Zone Heating on the Thixotropic Microstructure of AA 7075 Aluminum Alloy via SIMA Process", Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 509, pp. 402-408, (2011).
8. Saklakoglu N., Saklakoglu I.E., Tanoglu M., Oztas O., Cubukcuoglu O., "Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Evaluation of AA5013 Aluminum Alloy Treated in the Semi-Solid state by SIMA Process", Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 148, pp. 103-107, (2004).
9. Totten G., MacKenzie D., "Handbook of Aluminum", Physical Metallurgy and Processes, Vol. 1, (2003).
10. E112-96, "Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size", (1996).
11. Sirong Y., Dongcheng L., Kim N., "Microstructure evolution of SIMA processe d Al2024", Materials Science and Engineering: A, Vol. 420, pp.165-170, (2006).
12. Ratke L., Voorhees P.W., "Growth and Coarsening: Ostwald Ripening in Material Processing", Springer, (2002).
13. Yan G., Zhao S., Ma S., Shou H., "Microstructure Evolution of A356.2 Alloy Prepared by the SIMA Process", Materials Characterization, Vol. 69, pp. 45-51, (2012).
14. Chen G., Jiang J., Du Z., Cao Q., Li H., Zhang X., "Formation of Fine Spheroidal Microstructure of Semi-Solid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy by Hyper Thermally and Subsequent Isothermally Reheating", Journal of Materials Science & Technology, Vol. 29, pp. 979-982, (2013).
CAPTCHA Image