Development of hypereutectic Al-Si based P/M alloys

The compaction, sintering and heat treatment processing conditions for the commercial powder, Ecka Alumix 231 with the nominal composition of Al-15Si-2.5Cu-0.5Mg(wt%) have been optimized in this study. It has been found that densification of Ecka Alumix 231 depended largely on the sintering atmosphere and the amount of liquid phase presented. Sintering in nitrogen atmosphere was found to be beneficial due to the formation of AIN which later induced pore filling effect. Presence of hydrogen in the sintering atmosphere, however, was not desirable. Decomposition of MgH2 at higher temperature was suggested to increase the pore pressure and caused detrimental effect on compact densification. The effects of alloy additions (i.e. Cu and/or Ni) on sintering and heat treatment response were also investigated in this study. Addition of copper was found to enhance the sintering response by a significant increase in the sintered density,reduced the peak ageing temperatures and time. Nickel addition, however, was detrimental to both sintering and heat treatment response since it reduced the amount of copper content dissolved in the α-aluminum due to the formation of Al\(_3\)(Ni,Cu)\(_2\) phase. The precipitation sequence for Al-Si-Cu-Mg-(Ni) was suggested to be: Supersaturated solid solution (SSS)→GP zones → θ” → θ’ → θ.