Microstructural Characterization of Eutectic Aluminum Alloys in the As-Cast State and Heat Treated by Homogenization
aluminum, eutectic, homogenization, foundry, microstructure.
The aluminum alloys in the eutectic composition have a characteristic low melting temperature and a complex microstructure formed by eutectic constituents. They can be applied in the foundry industry, as they additionally present high fluidity and low tendency to the formation of porosity and hot cracking. The Al-Cu (binary), Al-Cu-Si and Al-Cu-Mg (ternary) and Al-Cu-Si-Mg (quaternary) systems were produced by sand casting. The alloys were analyzed microstructurally in the as-cast condition and after homogenizing heat treatment at 495 ° C for until 24 hours, via x-rays fluorescence (FRX), x-rays diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with dispersive scanning energy system (EDS). The results showed the formation of the main constituent phases in the thermodynamic equilibrium state, the significant formation of eutectic constituents and the formation of a small amount of intermetallic Al5FeSi (platelets) and AlFeSiMgCu (chinese writing), commonly found due to the intrinsic presence of iron as an impurity In aluminum alloys.