On the influence of iron and silicon content on the phase composition of the Al-Fe-Si system

Abstract

Increasing interest in intermetallic phases of the Al-Fe-Si system is associated with their high specific strength, corrosion and wear resistance, as well as the low cost of their production. To exhibit the most successful combination of properties, it is necessary to impart a specific compact morphology to the precipitated intermetallic phases. It is important to create an alloy with a composition capable of accepting plastic deformation. The purpose of the work is to develop the composition of an Al-Fe-Si system alloy capable of withstanding plastic deformation and determining the corresponding deformation interval. Based on computer modeling, an alloy composition capable of accepting plastic deformation was developed and the corresponding deformation interval was determined. The simulation was carried out in the ThermoCalc software package, TCAL8 database. It has been revealed that alloys with a high content of both silicon and iron are not characterized by the formation of a single-phase region, however, with a certain combination of alloy components, it is possible to achieve a quasi-single-phase structure, when the content of one phase is observed to be more than 90%. The solidus temperatures for different alloy compositions and the boundary conditions for the existence of phases have been determined. The α phase is present in the system from a temperature of 770°C up to a temperature of 446°C. In composition, it is found in the range from 5 to 35% iron with an amount of silicon of 10% and from 0 to 15% silicon with an iron content of 30%. The maximum amount of α phase was obtained for the Al60-65 alloy; Fe30-32; and Si5-10%, deformation temperature range is 600-450°C. Deformation in this region will ensure processing in a quasi-single-phase region without melting.