M. Alipour, M. Emami, R. Eslami Farsania, M. H. Siadati, H. Khorsand,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (December 2015)
Abstract
A modified strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process was applied and its effect on the structural characteristics and hardness of the aluminum alloy Al–12Zn–3Mg–2.5Cu was investigated. Specimens subjected to a deformation of 40% at 300 °C were heat treated at various times (10-40 min) and temperatures (550-600 °C). Microstructural studies were carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopies (SEM). Results showed that the best microstructure was obtained at the temperature and time of 575 °C and 20 min, respectively. The hardness test results revealed superior hardness in comparison with the samples prepared without the application of the modified SIMA process.
T6 heat treatment including quenching to 25 °C and aging at 120 °C for 24 h was employed to reach to the maximum strength. After the T6 heat treatment, the average tensile strength increased from 231 MPa to 487 and 215 MPa to 462 for samples before and after strain-induced melt activation process, respectively. Ultimate strength of globular microstructure specimens after SIMA process has a lower value than as-cast specimens without SIMA process
S. Kord, M. H. Siadati, M. Alipour, H. Amiri, P.g. Koppad, A. C. Gowda,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (December 2018)
Abstract
The effects of rare earth element, erbium (Er) additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-15Zn-2.5Mg-2.5Cu alloy have been investigated. This new high strength alloy with erbium additions (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt%) was synthesized by liquid metallurgy route followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscope and electron probe microanalysis. Significant amount of grain refinement was observed with erbium addition in the hot extruded and heat treated alloy. Tensile test was performed to investigate the effect rare earth on mechanical behavior of alloy in as cast and hot extruded condition before and after T6 heat treatment. The combined effect of erbium addition, hot extrusion and heat treatment significantly enhanced the tensile strength of alloy (602 MPa) when compared to the as cast alloy without erbium addition (225 MPa). The strengthening of the alloy was attributed to grain refinement caused by erbium along with hot extrusion and formation of precipitates after T6 heat treatment. Fractograhic investigations revealed that the hot extruded alloy with erbium addition after heat treatment showed uniformly distributed deep dimples exhibiting ductile behavior.
