An investigation to the effect of deformation-heat treatment cycle on the eutectic morphology and mechanical properties of a Thixocast A356 alloy

The influences of deformation, heat treatment temperature and holding time on morphology and size distribution of Si containing eutectic phases of Thixocast Al-7Si-0.4 Mg alloy were investigated. The novel thermo-mechanical treatment consisted of initial cold working practice followed by a solution heat treatment at 540 °C for durations ranging from 2 min to 120 min followed by water quenching. Optical and scanning electron microscopes were used to study the influence of process parameters on microstructure evolution. Also, final mechanical properties were investigated using hardness test. The results indicate that, under appropriate conditions it is possible to achieve an ultrafine grain microstructure with the eutectic Si fibers fragmented and spheroidized in the entire microstructure. It was also found that, an agglomeration of sphrodized particles occurs and is governed by Ostwald ripening mechanism.