Abstract
The effect of V microalloying on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si wrought aluminum alloy by adding the Al-4V (wt.%) master alloy containing the single type of Al3V phases was studied by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and energy spectrum analysis. The results showed that adding V into the Al-1.6Mg-1.2Si (wt.%) alloy by means of Al3V phases significantly refined the as-cast alloy structure and reduced the grain size by 3.30%. During homogenization heat treatment, dispersed spherical V-containing phase precipitated from the matrix and strongly inhibited the recrystallization grain growth during the T6 heat treatment. The mechanical properties of T6 alloy was improved significantly when the minor V was added by means of Al3V phases, with the tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) increased by 1.21% and 2.42% respectively while elongation (EL) increased significantly by 130%.