Speaker
Description
This study investigates the effect of Cu addition (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt.%) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and heat treatment response of in-situ Al-15Mg₂Si-4.5Si composites. These composites are fabricated using gravity-assisted Low Superheat casting (LSC) technique and characterized by optical microscope, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Electron Probe Microprobe Analysis (EPMA), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and Atom Probe Tomography (APT). The results depicted that the addition of 2 wt.% Cu to the Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) changes the morphology of primary Mg2Si from irregular dendritic and hopper structure to polyhedral shape and reduces its average particle size from ~52 µm to ~19 µm. Bulk hardness of the composite shows ~45% increase in the as-cast state and about ~66% increase after heat treatment in the case of 2 wt.% Cu addition. Tensile tests revealed improvements in ultimate tensile strength (from 158 to 185 MPa in the as-cast condition and up to 308 MPa after heat treatment) and elongation (from 2.1% to 4.47% after heat treatment). These results demonstrate that Cu addition significantly enhances the microstructural refinement and mechanical performance of Al-15Mg₂Si-4.5Si composites, making them promising for advanced structural applications.
| Speaker Company/University | Mohammed Kedir Mustofa, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore |
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