Creep behavior of Al-Si die-cast alloys

Commercial, aluminum die-cast alloys are subject to long-term stresses leading to viscoelastic material responses resulting in inefficient engine operation and failure. Constant load creep tests were conducted on aluminum die-casting alloys: B-390, eutectic Al-Si and a 17% Si-Al alloys. Rupture occurred in the primary creep regime, with the eutectic alloy having the longest times to failure. Primary creep was modeled by J (t) = A+Bt(n) with A, B, and n dependent on stress. Poor creep performance is linked to the brittle fracture of the primary silicon phase as well as other casting defects.