The Effect of Mn and Ca Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of the Al–Cu–Fe–Si–Zn Based Alloys

Abstract

High conductivity Al alloys are widely used for electric materials, heat exchangers, and heat dissipation parts such as electric conductors, transmission lines, communication cables, automobile wires and so on. In this study, the effects of Ca and Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–0.3Cu–0.2Fe–0.15Si–0.15Zn alloys were investigated. The melt was held at 800 °C for 20 minutes and poured into a mold. The cast Al alloy was hot extruded with a rod having a diameter of 12 mm and a reduction ratio of 38:1. Al–0.3Cu–0.2Fe–0.15Si–0.15Zn–0.9Mn–0.4Ca alloy consists of Al, Al–(Fe, Mn)–Si, Al–(Fe, Mn) and Al–(Ca) intermetallic compounds. The formation of the intermetallic compound and this phase was broken in to small particles during extrusion. As the Ca content increased from 0 to 0.4 wt.%, the electrical conductivity of the extruded Al–0.3Cu– 0.2Fe–0.15Si–0.15Zn alloys increased by 57.3, 57.9 and 59.0 %IACS (International annealed copper standard). Al–0.3Cu–0.2Fe–0.15Si–0.15Zn–0.9Mn alloy with element additions of Ca, ultimate tensile strength was decreased from 178.3 to 163.2 and 151.8 MPa. However, the elongation was improved to 18.6, 21.6 and 23.15%.