The Copper Influence into Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Al-5Si Alloy

Abstract

The microstructure and the hardness due to the addition of copper of the Al-Si-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy have been investigated. The copper content varies from 0 wt.%– 5 wt.% to see how the alloy's microstructure and hardness change. The Heat treatment at temperature 510 °C for 5 hours and then cooling to ambient temperature has fostered the dissolution of copper in the crystal and then precipitate during cooling. The results show that the alloying element forms a phase distributed in the matrix of the alloy. Increasing the content of the copper makes the form of the second phase more minor, and at the matrix show, fine particles distributed mostly entire of the surface—the hardness of the alloy increase as the copper content increase. The increase in hardness might come from the fine particle dispersed in the matrix. The onset, endset, and melting temperature tend to decrease as the copper content increase.