Effect of Ti Content on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-Si-Mg-Cu-Ni Alloys
摘要
The influence of titanium (Ti) on the microstructure and high-temperature fatigue properties of a piston alloy belonging to the Al-Si-Mg-Cu-Ni system was investigated using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the optimal grain refinement effect was achieved at a Ti content of 0.1 wt.%, where the primary silicon (Si) size was reduced by 15% and the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) was decreased by 30% compared with the Ti-free alloy. When the Ti content was excessive, fine elongated (Al,Si)3Ti phases were formed in the microstructure. Mechanical properties tested at 350°C showed that, with increasing Ti content, both the tensile strength and fatigue strength first increased and then decreased, with the optimum mechanical properties observed at a Ti content of 0.1 wt.%. In addition, the initiation sites and propagation paths of fatigue cracks under high-temperature conditions were also investigated.