The effect of Mg on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of Al-Si-Mg casting alloys

The microstructure and tensile behavior of two Al-7 pct Si-Mg casting alloys, with magnesium contents of 0.4 and 0.7 pct, have been studied. Different microstructures were produced by varying the solidification rate and by modification with strontium. An extraction technique was used to determine the maximum size of the eutectic silicon flakes and particles. The eutectic Si particles in the unmodified alloys and, to a lesser extent, in the Sr-modified alloys are larger in the alloys with higher Mg content. Large Fe-rich pi-phase (Al9FeMg3Si5) particles are formed in the 0.7 pct ME alloys together with some smaller beta-phase (Al5FeSi) plates; in contrast, only beta-phase plates are observed in the 0.4 pct Mg alloys. The yield stress increases with the Mg content, although, at 0.7 pct Mg, it is less than expected, possibly because some of the Mg is lost to pi-phase intermetallics. The tensile ductility is less in the higher Mg alloys, especially in the Sr-modified alloys, compared with the lower Mg alloys. The loss of ductility of the unmodified alloy seems to be caused by the larger Si particles, while the presence of large pi-phase intermetallic particles accounts for the loss in ductility of the Sr-modified alloy.