Prodution and characterization of new Al-Si-Mg and Al-Si-Mg-Cu alloys for thixoforming

• Grant number: 06/00935-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2006
• End date: July 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Eugênio José Zoqui
• Grantee: Eugênio José Zoqui
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The work in hand intends to develop the technology of semi-solid processing of alloys, from the production of raw materials to the finished parts components. A recent development at FEM/Unicamp has explored the influence of Silicon and Magnesium contents on the production and processing of Al-Si-Mg alloys, produced by semi-continuous casting under electromagnetic stirring, (with and without grain refiner). The development includes: micro- and macro-structural characterizations, the characterization of solidus and liquidus temperature, as well as the understanding, in terms of complete phase transformations, of such new alloys through the re-heating process previous to the thixo-processing, moreover, it includes the determination of its viscosity, using the hot compression test. The present project intends to comprehend the previous work to encompass the Al-Si-Mg-Cu, as well as, to produce, by thixo-forming, test specimen for mechanical characterization as a final product. From comparison of the mechanical properties with the original as-rheocast material (usually A356), will be first rate the potential alloys for thixo-processing. In order to achieve such goal, this project depends on the acquisition of an optical microscope for metallurgical purpose and a digital camera to be used with the Leica Quantimet 500 MC Imaging System, acquired by the Fapesp project 2001/04305-3, as well as, regular material for production and characterization of those alloys. (AU)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project