Influence of Solution Heat Treatment Temperature and Time on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Gas Induced Semi-Solid (GISS) 6061 Aluminum Alloy

2013 ◽  
Vol 313-314 ◽  
pp. 67-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitikarn Pajaroen ◽  
Thawatchai Plookphol ◽  
Jessada Wannasin ◽  
Sirikul Wisutmethangoon

The influence of solution heat treatment (SHT) temperature and time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of semi-solid 6061 aluminum alloy has been investigated in this study. Microstructure of the as-cast 6061 aluminum alloy mainly consisted of globular α-Al matrix and eutectic phase (α-Al + Mg2Si) at the grain boundary (GB). Iron rich intermetallic phase was also observed at the grain boundary. Eutectic phase started to dissolve after solution heat treatment. The dissolution of eutectic phase increased with increasing solution treatment time, however, the amount of remaining eutectic phase was found to be slightly changed after solution treating longer than 1 h at 550 °C and 2 h at 530 °C. Hardness and tensile results of specimens after artificial aging were utilized to compare and select the optimum solution heat treatment condition cooperating with the microstructural observation. The optimum solution heat treatment condition of the alloy in this study was at 530 °C for 2 h.

2012 ◽  
Vol 488-489 ◽  
pp. 243-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saowalak Kongiang ◽  
Thawatchai Plookphol ◽  
Jessada Wannasin ◽  
Sirikul Wisutmethangoon

Effect of the two-step solution heat treatment on the microstructure of semisolid cast 7075 aluminium alloy has been studied. The microstructure of the as-cast specimens mainly consisted of matrix-α (Al) and grain boundary (GB)-eutectic phase (α-Al + Mg(Zn,Cu,Al)2). After solution treating, coarse black particles were found to form in the single-step solution treated specimens at the condition of 450 °C for 8 h and 480 °C for 1 h, respectively. Two-step solution heat treatment resulted in the reduction of coarse black particle formation while maintaining the same amount of eutectic MgZn2phase dissolution as the high temperature single-step solution treatment. Therefore, the two-step solution heat treatment enables alloying elements dissolved into the matrix without overheating and hence decreases coarse black particles. The optimum two-step solution heat treatment condition derived from this study was 400 °C for 8 h + 450 °C for 4 h.


2011 ◽  
Vol 339 ◽  
pp. 714-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siriwan Pannaray ◽  
Sirikul Wisutmethangoon ◽  
Thawatchai Plookphol ◽  
Jessada Wannasin

The aim of this study is to determine the appropriate solution treatment temperature and time of semi solid 2024 Al alloy. Solution heat treatment at 450°C and 480 °C for various times, from 4 hours to 16 hrs, were applied followed by artificial aging at 220 °C for 1 hr. Microstructure of the semi solid cast 2024 aluminum alloy mainly showed globular grain structure which consisted of matrix-α (Al) and grain boundary (GB) - eutectic phases (α+Al2CuMg/Al2Cu). Eutectic GB phases was found to completely dissolved after solution heat treatment at 480°C for 14 hrs while sample solution treated at 450°C for the same time showed the existence of remaining GB phases. Prolonging heat treatment after 14 hrs at both temperatures resulted in the formation of coarse black particles at the grain boundaries which were identified as Mg2Si phases. Therefore the suitable solution treatment of the alloy in this study was at 480°C for 14 hrs.


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