The Microstructure and the Room-Temperature Nanoindentation Creep Behavior of Mg Modified Al-7Si Alloys
摘要
The creep behavior of Mg-modified hypoeutectic Al-7Si alloys was systematically characterized via room-temperature nanoindentation, specifically elucidating the influence of heat treatment and magnesium modification. Minor additions of Mg promote a transition toward a more equiaxed α-Al grain morphology. Additionally, T6 heat treatment substantially refines and spheroidizes the eutectic Si phase, thereby enhancing microstructural homogeneity. These microstructural modifications facilitate dislocation pileup at phase boundaries, effectively impeding dislocation mobility under load and thereby enhancing creep resistance. The T6 Al-7Si-Mg alloy exhibited superior creep resistance, notably at higher strain rates where elevated stress facilitates rapid dislocation nucleation and increased dislocation density. Furthermore, the creep stress exponent displayed a non-monotonic dependence on indentation depth. This behavior is attributed to the evolving interaction between the indentation-induced stress field and the Al-Si phase boundaries.