Thixoforming of new Al-Si-Cu alloys

Author(s)

Luis Vanderlei Torres

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica
• Defense date: 2013-07-30

Examining board members

Eugênio José Zoqui; Amauri Hassui; João Batista Fogagnolo; Carmo Roberto Pelliciari de Lima; Mirian de Lourdes Noronha Motta Melo

• Advisor: Eugênio José Zoqui

Abstract

The goal of this work was to evaluate the thixoformability of Al-Xwt%Si-2,5wt%Cu alloys, including all the stages process: obtaining the thixocasting, characterization in terms of microstructural, characterization of the rheological behavior, and the thixoforging process in two different sets equipment, ie., eccentric press and pneumatic press. The Al-2,0wt%Si-2,5wt%Cu, Al-3,0wt%Si-2,5wt%Cu, Al-4,0wt%Si-2,5wt%Cu, Al-5,0wt%Si-2,5wt%Cu e Al-7,0wt%Si- 2,5wt%Cu alloys were produced by direct casting with electromagnetic stirring and by ultrarefining (addiction of Al-5,0wt%Ti-1,0wt%B). The alloys were submitted to re-heating treatment for 0s, 30s, 90s and 210s in two conditions of solid fraction, 45% and 60%; had been realized tests of viscosity under the same conditions and thixoforging tests with solid fraction of 45% and with all re-heating treatment times. Finally, had been the mechanical properties, by tensile tests, of the thixoforged pieces. Re-heating treatment times promote the solid phase particles globularization, from that the best results of viscosity been reached for alloys treated with solid fractions of 45%: all the alloys presented resulted of apparent viscosity of 106 (Pa.s), literature according to materials that if find in this index of viscosity possess the similar behavior the casting glass and demonstrate high conformability, revealing viable the process thixoforming. The thixoforged piece presented good conformability, total fulfilling of the matrix and reproducing geometry. Showed good mechanical properties by tensile tests and subjected to solubilization treatment had superior mechanical properties, ie, an increase in the yield strength in all alloys about 50MPa, elongation increased approximately 2 to 3 times and increasing the limit of tensile strength in all leagues around 80MPa (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/08478-1 - Continuous Casting and Thixoforming of new Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys
• Grantee: Luis Vanderlei Torres
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate