The Correlation between Solidification Microstructures and Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Al-Sn-Cu and Al-Sn-Si Alloys

• Grant number: 12/16328-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2012
• End date: November 15, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Transformation Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Amauri Garcia
• Grantee: Felipe Bertelli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/21893-6 - The correlation between solidification microstructures and mechanical and tribological properties of Al-Sn-Cu and Al-Sn-Si alloys, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The comprehension of the microstructural evolution during the solidification of metallic alloys is fundamental, since by establishing correlations between the manufacture steps and the characteristics of the final product, it is possible to envisage components having better properties and higher lifetime. The search of relationships between microstructural parameters and mechanical and wear behavior of alloys is fundamental for the pre-programming of final properties of as-cast components. Binary Al-Sn and Al-Si alloys, typically used for tribological applications, particularly for bearings and components of internal combustion engines, will need to be replaced by new alternatives caused by the design of new engines, which will be subjected to higher loads and velocities and hence will demand better properties to support the operation at higher temperatures. The present study aims to contribute to the understanding of modifications caused by a third alloying addition, in particular Cu and Si, on the microstructural evolution and mechanical and tribological properties. The literature reports that Al-Sn-Si e Al-Sn-Cu alloys have a good potential for tribological applications due to the strengthening of the Al-rich matrix by Si and Cu and because the Sn particles act as a solid lubricant. However, the literature is scarce on detailed studies relating microstructure features on the mechanical and wear resistances. The way the scale of dendritic spacings is affected by alloying content and solidification kinetics in Al-Sn-Cu and Al-Sn-Si alloys will be investigated. These alloys will be directionally solidified under transient heat flow conditions for a wide range of cooling rates, both vertically upwards and downwards, with a view to permitting the effect of macrosegregation on the evolution of microstructure and properties to be also analyzed. Both theoretical and experimental approaches will be used to quantify the effects of alloying on the solidification thermal variables: metal/mold heat transfer coefficient (h_i), tip growth rate (V_L), thermal gradient (G ), and cooling rate (T ). Experimental laws relating microstructural parameters to the mechanical and wear behavior will be developed. To complement the comprehension on the microstructure evolution of these alloys, the Bridgman growth of samples will be filmed in situ using an X-ray technique in the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) of Grenoble, France. In order to permit the effects of higher cooling rates during solidification on microstructure modifications to be examined, laser remelting experiments will be carried out. The resulting microhardness profiles of the treated and heat affected zones will also be determined.

Scientific publications

(16)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; SILVA-SANTOS, CARLOS H.; BEZERRA, DEBORA J.; CHEUNG, NOE; GARCIA, AMAURI. An Effective Inverse Heat Transfer Procedure Based on Evolutionary Algorithms to Determine Cooling Conditions of a Steel Continuous Casting Machine. Materials and Manufacturing Processes, v. 30, n. 4, SI, p. 414-424, APR 3 2015. (13/23396-7, 12/14553-9, 12/16328-2)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; BRITO, CRYSTOPHER; FERREIRA, IVALDO L.; REINHART, GUILLAUME; NGUYEN-THI, HENRI; MANGELINCK-NOEL, NATHALIE; CHEUNG, NOE; GARCIA, AMAURI. Cooling thermal parameters, microstructure, segregation and hardness in directionally solidified Al-Sn-(Si;Cu) alloys. MATERIALS & DESIGN, v. 72, p. 31-42, MAY 5 2015. (13/23396-7, 12/08494-0, 14/21893-6, 12/16328-2)

BRITO, C.; BERTELLI, F.; CASTANHO, M. A. P.; GOULART, P. R.; CHEUNG, N.; SPINELLI, J. E.; GARCIA, A.. Upward and downward unsteady-state directional solidification of a hypoeutectic Al-3wt.% Mg alloy. CIENCIA & TECNOLOGIA DOS MATERIAIS, v. 29, n. 1, p. E65-E70, JAN-APR 2017. (13/23396-7, 14/25809-0, 12/08494-0, 14/50502-5, 12/16328-2)

SANTOS, WASHINGTON L. R.; BRITO, CRYSTOPHER; BERTELLI, FELIPE; SPINELLI, JOSE E.; GARCIA, AMAURI. Microstructural development of hypoeutectic Zn-(10-40)wt%Sn solder alloys and impacts of interphase spacing and macrosegregation pattern on hardness. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, v. 647, p. 989-996, OCT 25 2015. (13/13030-5, 12/08494-0, 12/16328-2)

DIAS, MARCELINO; BRITO, CRYSTOPHER; BERTELLI, FELIPE; ROCHA, OTAVIO L.; GARCIA, AMAURI. Interconnection of thermal parameters, microstructure, macrosegregation and microhardness of unidirectionally solidified Zn-rich Zn-Ag peritectic alloys. MATERIALS & DESIGN, v. 63, p. 848-855, NOV 2014. (12/08494-0, 13/09267-0, 12/16328-2)

DIAS, MARCELINO; BRITO, CRYSTOPHER; BERTELLI, FELIPE; GARCIA, AMAURI. Cellular growth of single-phase Zn-Ag alloys unidirectionally solidified. Materials Chemistry and Physics, v. 143, n. 3, p. 895-899, FEB 14 2014. (12/08494-0, 13/09267-0, 12/16328-2)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; CHEUNG, NOE; FERREIRA, IVALDO L.; GARCIA, AMAURI. Evaluation of thermophysical properties of Al-Sn-Si alloys based on computational thermodynamics and validation by numerical and experimental simulation of solidification. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS, v. 98, p. 9-20, JUL 2016. (13/23396-7, 14/21893-6, 12/16328-2)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; CHEUNG, NOE; GARCIA, AMAURI. Inward solidification of cylinders: Reversal in the growth rate and microstructure evolution. APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING, v. 61, n. 2, SI, p. 577-582, NOV 3 2013. (12/16328-2)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; FARIA, JONAS D.; GOULART, PEDRO R.; BRITO, CRYSTOPHER; CHEUNG, NOE; GARCIA, AMAURI. Numerical and experimental modelling of two-dimensional unsteady heat transfer during inward solidification of square billets. APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING, v. 96, p. 454-462, MAR 5 2016. (12/08494-0, 13/23396-7, 12/16328-2)

BRITO, CRYSTOPHER; COSTA, THIAGO A.; VIDA, TALITA A.; BERTELLI, FELIPE; CHEUNG, NOE; SPINELLI, JOSE EDUARDO; GARCIA, AMAURI. Characterization of Dendritic Microstructure, Intermetallic Phases, and Hardness of Directionally Solidified Al-Mg and Al-Mg-Si Alloys. METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS A-PHYSICAL METALLURGY AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, v. 46A, n. 8, p. 3342-3355, AUG 2015. (12/08494-0, 13/23396-7, 12/16328-2)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; FREITAS, EMMANUELLE S.; CHEUNG, NOE; ARENAS, MARIA A.; CONDE, ANA; DE DAMBORENEA, JUAN; GARCIA, AMAURI. Microstructure, tensile properties and wear resistance correlations on directionally solidified Al-Sn-(Cu; Si) alloys. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, v. 695, p. 3621-3631, FEB 25 2017. (14/50502-5, 12/16328-2, 13/23396-7, 13/15478-3)

SILVA, BISMARCK LUIZ; SPINELLI, JOSE EDUARDO; CANTE, MANUEL V.; BERTELLI, FELIPE; CHEUNG, NOE; RIVA, RUDIMAR; GARCIA, AMAURI. Experimental and numerical analyses of laser remelted Sn-0.7 wt% Cu solder surfaces. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS, v. 26, n. 5, p. 3100-3107, MAY 2015. (13/13030-5, 12/16328-2)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; SILVA-SANTOS, CARLOS H.; BEZERRA, DEBORA J.; CHEUNG, NOE; GARCIA, AMAURI. An Effective Inverse Heat Transfer Procedure Based on Evolutionary Algorithms to Determine Cooling Conditions of a Steel Continuous Casting Machine. Materials and Manufacturing Processes, v. 30, n. 4, p. 11-pg., 2015-04-03. (12/16328-2, 13/23396-7, 12/14553-9)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; BRITO, CRYSTOPHER; FERREIRA, IVALDO L.; REINHART, GUILLAUME; NGUYEN-THI, HENRI; MANGELINCK-NOEL, NATHALIE; CHEUNG, NOE; GARCIA, AMAURI. Cooling thermal parameters, microstructure, segregation and hardness in directionally solidified Al-Sn-(Si;Cu) alloys. MATERIALS & DESIGN, v. 72, p. 12-pg., 2015-05-05. (14/21893-6, 12/16328-2, 13/23396-7, 12/08494-0)

BERTELLI, FELIPE; CHEUNG, NOE; GARCIA, AMAURI. Inward solidification of cylinders: Reversal in the growth rate and microstructure evolution. APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING, v. 61, n. 2, p. 6-pg., 2013-11-03. (12/16328-2)

BRITO, C.; NGUYEN-THI, H.; MANGELINCK-NOEL, N.; CHEUNG, N.; SPINELLI, J. E.; GARCIA, A.; IOP. Cellular-to-Dendritic and Dendritic-to-Cellular Morphological Transitions in a Ternary Al-Mg-Si Alloy. 9TH WORLD CONGRESS ON COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS AND 4TH ASIAN PACIFIC CONGRESS ON COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS, v. 529, p. 6-pg., 2019-01-01. (12/16328-2, 14/25809-0, 13/23396-7, 12/08494-0)