Impact of modification and heat treatment on mechanical properties of AK132 silumin

Crystallization processes of alloys determine structure of castings and the same their utility properties. Knowledge about run of the processes is a source of information for development of technology to preparation of liquid metal and to control of preparation of the alloys within in industry. Hence, making use of crystallization processes theory to control of the technological processes aimed at obtaining the best possible structure of the material for a given requirements becomes important factor in production of castings. The paper discusses an impact of the modification process and heat treatment on mechanical properties of AK132 (AlSi12Cu2Fe) alloy. Investigated alloy was melted in electric resistance furnace. Run of the crystallization process has been presented with use of thermal-voltage-derivative analysis (ATND). That method was also implemented to determination of temperature range of heat treatment operations of the alloy. Obtained results concern registered solidification curves from the ATND method, luminous microscopy, strength tests and observation of fracture�fs surfaces of the tested alloy after static tensile test. For approximately eutectic AK132 silumin there were obtained advantageous changes of mechanical properties of the alloy caused mainly by refining of [alpha]+Si eutectic mixture, present in not-modified alloy in lamellar form. The changes are also reflected in course of the crystallization process and morphology of fracture surface after static tensile test. Performed heat treatment of AK132 silumin, consisting on hyper quenching and ageing has enabled to obtain positive result connected with additional implementation of ATND method, which registers melting (heating) processes of the alloy, to determination of heat treatment temperatures. On base of performed tests of heat-treated alloy one has specified the range of parameters, which determine obtaining the best possible mechanical properties. The research was performed in laboratory conditions, and therefore requires verification in industry conditions.