Cooling rate and chemical composition influence on structure of Al-Si-Cu alloys

Purpose: The aim of this work is to perform the investigation of cooling rate influence as well as rare earth metals modification on microstructure of the AC-AlSi7Cu3Mg and AC-AlSi12CuNiMg cast aluminium alloys. In the work also artificial neural networks were applied for investigations of the influence of the alloying additives on the properties of the AC-4XXX alloy. Design/methodology/approach: In the work the thermo - derivative analysis was applied for the reason to determine changes occurred in the Al-Si-Cu alloy caused by cooling rate change in a range between 0.1 and 1.4°C/s as well chemical composition of the investigated alloy. Also artificial neural networks were applied for prediction of the chemical composition and heat treatment parameters and influence on mechanical properties of the investigated aluminium alloys. Findings: The performed investigation are discussed for the reason of an possible improvement of thermal and structural properties of the alloy. Practical implications: The aim of the carried out investigations was to work out a computer aided tool for prediction of mechanical properties on the basis of registered parameters during the technological process as well as controlling the process in real time, which can be useful for foundry and cast industry for achieving of material with assumed properties. Originality/value: Chemical composition and cooling rate applied for the alloy influences the crystallisation process of the phases and eutectics, and that fore also the microstructure and determines at the same time the properties of these aluminium alloys. The achieved results can be used also for liquid metal processing in science and industry and obtaining of a required alloy microstructure and properties influenced by a proper production conditions. The determination of the technological process parameters as well chemical composition allows it to predict the material properties.