Effect of Sn content on the structural and mechanical properties of Al–Si alloy

Samples of Al–Si based ternary alloys with Sn content from 0 to 2 wt.% were prepared from elements of purity 99.99% and homogenized at 823 K for 53 h then aged at 673 K for 2 h and tensile tested in the temperature range (413–493 K). Softening behaviour was observed with increasing the deformation temperature. The variations in the mechanical properties were discussed and related to the structure analysis of TEM micrographs obtained at room temperature for the aged samples. Sn addition improved the mechanical properties of the samples.