Effect of Ni Addition and T6 Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Microhardness of Hot Plastic Deformed (Al-Si-Mg) Alloys

Abstract

A356 (Al-Si-Mg) alloy have been widely used in the automotive, aerospace and military industries due to their high castability, corrosion resistance and excellent strength/weight ratio. The most important alloying elements are Si and Mg. The microstructure of A356 alloy in as-cast condition is composed mainly by Al-α dendrites, interdendritic Al-Si, Mg2Si phase and Fe-based intermetallics.