Abstract

Al-Sn alloys are widely used in automotive parts, such as bearings and internal parts of combustion engines. Therefore, the addition of third elements to Al-Sn alloys is an alternative for possible improvements in their properties, so Copper is pointed out as an element that can contribute so much to the mechanical properties of the alloy. In this work, we sought to evaluate the effects of the thermal parameters of solidification and the addition of Cu on the microstructural morphology and microhardness of Al-10% Sn alloys. To carry out the present study, solidification experiments were carried out under pressure (100MPa) in a transient heat extraction regime. The addition of copper caused an alteration in the thermal parameters and consequently a microstructural change; The microstructural spacings of the studied alloys increased as the solidification front advanced towards the center of the ingot along with the decrease in the values of the thermal parameters (V L, T R). The microhardness of the Al-10Sn alloy remained constant (28.5HV), with the addition of 5%Cu there was an increase in the microhardness values.

Keywords: Microhardness; Thermal parameters; Al-Sn-Cu alloys; parameters of solidification