The influence of Ni addition and hot-extrusion on the microstructure and tensile properties of Al–15%Mg2Si composite

The effects of nickel addition and hot-extrusion on the microstructure and tensile properties of in situ Al–15%Mg2Si composite specimens have been investigated. Al–15%Mg2Si composite ingots were prepared by an in situ process and different amounts of nickel (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 wt% Ni) were added to the remelted composite. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that Ni addition changes the morphology of both primary and eutectic Mg2Si phases and decreases the size of primary Mg2Si particles from 42 μm to 17 μm. Hot-extrusion was found to be powerful in breaking the eutectic network and changing the size and morphology of pseudo-eutectic Mg2Si phase. The results obtained from tensile testing revealed that both Ni addition and hot-extrusion process improve ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation values. Fracture surface examinations revealed a transition from brittle fracture mode in as-cast composite to ductile fracture in hot-extruded composite after Ni addition. This can be attributed to the changes in size and morphology of primary and eutectic Mg2Si phases and also the formation of more and finer α-Al phase.