한국주조공학회

In this study, the mechanical characteristics and microstructure of hypereutectic Al-17Si 17Si-5Fe extruded alloys prepared by a rapid solidification process (RSP) were investigated. The hypereutectic Al alloy was fabricated by means of RSP and permanent casting. For RSP, the Al alloy melted at 920oC, cooling the specimens at a rate of 106oC/s when the RSP was used, thus allowing the refining of primary Si particles more than when using permanent casting, at a rate of about 91%. We tested an extrusion RSP billet and a permanent-cast billet. Before the hot-extrusion process, heating to 450oC took place for one hour. The samples were then hotextruded with a condition of extrusion ratio of 27 and a ram speed of 0.5 mm/s. Microstructural analyses of the extruded RSP method and the permanent casting method were carried out with OM and SEM-EDS mapping. The mechanical properties in both cases were evaluated by Vickers micro-hardness, wear resistance and tensile tests. It was found that when hypereutectic Al-17Si-5Fe alloys were fabricated by a rapid solidification method, it becomes possible to refine Si and intermetallic compounds. During the preparation of the hypereutectic Al-17Si-5Fe alloy by the rapid solidification method, the pressure of the melting crucible was low, and at faster drum speeds, smaller grain alloy flakes could be produced. Hot extrusion of the hypereutectic Al-17Si-5Fe alloy during the rapid solidification method required higher pressure levels than hot extrusion of the permanent mold-casted alloy. However, it w was possible to produce an extruded material with a better surface than that of the h hot extruded material processed by permanent mold casting.