Effect of hot extrusion process on microstructure and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys

The hypereutectic Al-Si alloy was fabricated by hot extrusion process after solidified under electromagnetic stirring, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy were studied. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the alloy reached 229.5 MPa and 4.6%, respectively with the extrusion ratio of 10, and 263.2 MPa and 5.4%, respectively with extrusion ratio of 20. This indicates that the mechanical properties of the alloy are obviously improved with the increase of extrusion ratio. After hot extruded, the primary Si, eutectic Si, Mg2Si, AlNi, Al7Cu4Ni and Al-Si-Mn-Fe-Cr-Mo phases are refined to different extent, and the efficiency of refinement is obvious more and more with the increase of extrusion ratio. After T6 heat treatment, the sharp corners, of these phases become passivated and roundish, and the mechanical properties are improved. The ultimate tensile strength of the extruded alloy after T6 heat treatment reaches 335.3 MPa with extrusion ratio of 10 and 353.6 MPa with extrusion ratio of 20.