Intermetallic Compounds In The Al-Si-Cu System

Abstract

An understanding of nature and the formation of the intermetallic compounds in alloys of the Al-Si-Cu system is of importance, especially when its origin is of secondary sources, like recycled aluminum. The main objective of this study was to analyze the morphology and composición of complex microstructure intermetallic phases in the Al-Si-Cu alloys. The as-cast microstructures consisted of several phases: alfa-Al, Si, Al₂Cu, Landa-Al₅Mg₉Si₆Cu₂, Beta-Al5FeSi Pi-Al₈Si₆.Mg₃Fe, e Alfa-Al₁₅(Mn, Fe)₃Si_2, and of other phases in formation. The most common morphology was the Chinese-script, however. in high iron concentrations the dominant morphology was of the platelets of Beta-Al₅FeSi phase, Also, it was observed that those phases are highly brittle.