Effects of multiple-step thermal ageing treatment on the hardness characteristics of A356.0-type Al–Si–Mg alloy

The work outlined the hardness characteristics of thermally aged high chromium sodium modified A356.0-type Al–Si–Mg alloy using the multiple-step thermal ageing treatment (MSTAT) approach. This novel approach consists of double thermal ageing (DTAT) and single thermal ageing treatment (STAT). The investigation also includes the development of a new temperature-compensated-time parameter, P, for the studied alloy at different ageing temperatures and time considered. The results obtained in the DTAT developed for the A356.0-type Al–Si–Mg alloy showed an improvement in the precipitation hardening (PH) ability and hardness characteristics as compared to the convectional STAT temper. The observations were evidenced from the X-ray diffractometry (XRD) pattern indicating the possible strengthening phases. Equally, the hardness behavior was correlated with the microstructures using optical microscope (OPM) and scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscope (SEM-EDS).