Effects of Alloying Elements Content on Microstructural Properties of AlMgSiCu Alloy

In this study, four different compositions of high-strength 6xxx6xxx series aluminum alloysAluminum alloys with differentiation in the amount of their alloying elements (magnesiumMagnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), copperCopper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and zirconium (Zr)) were produced with direct chill castingDirect chill castingmethodMethod as billetBillet form. After castingCasting process homogenizationHomogenization process was applied. Effects of the changes in chemical compositionChemical composition, homogenizationHomogenization time (3, 6, and 10 h), and temperature (525 °C and 545 °C) on solidificationSolidification behavior and microstructureMicrostructure were investigated. For structural characterizationsCharacterization of the samples, an optical microscope, energyEnergy-dispersive spectrometer-equipped scanning electron microscope, and for thermo-analytical studies, differential scanning calorimetry were utilized. Additionally, for thermodynamic modelingModeling and estimation of possible microstructural changes and solidificationSolidification behaviors of the alloysAlloys, JMatPro was used and outputs were compared with experimental results. Results showed that the microstructureMicrostructure, and cast properties of the high-strength 6xxx6xxx series aluminum alloysAluminum alloys were strongly affected by their chemical compositionChemical composition, homogenizationHomogenization time, and temperature.