DOI : 10.55981/metalurgi.2023.714
© 2023 Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Metalurgi is Sinta 2 Journal (https://sinta.kemdikbud.go.id/journals/profile/3708) accredited by Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology,
Republic Indonesia
Metalurgi (2023) 3: 83 - 94
ejurnalmaterialmetalurgi.lipi.go.id
THE EFFECT OF AlTi5B1 AND ALTAB Ti80 WITH A COMBINATION
OF AlSr15 AND Mg ADDITIONS ON STRENGTH AND DUCTILITY OF
A356 ALUMINUM ALLOYS
Afghany Mostavan
a,
*, Asep Ridwan
b
, Arif Basuki
b
, Husaini Ardy
b
a
Doctoral Program of Materials Science and Engineering
a,b
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Institut Teknologi Bandung
Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung, Indonesia 40132
*E-mail: 33720001@mahasiswa.itb.ac.id
Received: 20-05-2023, Revised: 16-11-2023, Accepted: 20-11-2023
Abstract
The current study aims to analyze microstructural changes affecting the A356 aluminum alloy, a hypoeutectic Al-Si-
Mg alloy. This aluminum alloy is well-known for its strength, resistance to corrosion, lightweight, and heat
treatability. The main objective of this research is to improve the strength and ductility of A356 alloys by using a
synergistic strategy that includes AlTi5B1 and ALTAB Ti80 for microstructural alteration in combination with AlSr15
and Mg. The experimental results show that including all constituents in the as-cast condition enhances the ultimate
tensile strength and elongation. Furthermore, in the heat-treated state, the addition of ALTAB Ti80 effectively
maintains tensile strength (σuts=233.7 MPa), yield strength (σy=180.3 MPa), and elongation (e=5.8%). Additionally,
when combined with Mg, the tensile strength and yield strength exhibit further improvement (σuts=253 MPa and
σy=215.7 MPa); however, elongation is significantly reduced (e=2.7%).
Keywords: A356 alloy, microstructure modification, mechanical properties
1. INTRODUCTION
The A356 aluminum alloy, which is classified
in the hypoeutectic group of the Al-Si phase
diagram, is widely used in a variety of industrial
sectors. Referred to as type AC4CH (JIS) and
AlSi7Mg (ISO/DIN), A356 exhibits favorable
characteristics during metal mold filling,
possessing excellent mechanical properties, high
resistance to dynamic loads, and exceptional
corrosion resistance [1]. Hence, it is commonly
used to fabricate pump housings, impellers,
blowers, aircraft components, and vehicle parts
[2]-[3].
The A356 aluminum alloy is widely used in the
automobile sector, particularly in the production
of cast wheel vehicles using GDC (gravity die
casting) and LPDC (low-pressure die casting)
techniques [4]. The quality of these casting wheel
vehicles is influenced by factors such as alloy
composition, casting process techniques, cooling
rate, and heat treatment [5]. Specifications for
casting wheels necessitate specific requirements,
including a minimum ultimate tensile strength
(σuts) of 277 MPa, minimum yield strength (σy)
of 200 MPa, minimum elongation (e) of 7-12%,
and a hardness range of 80-95 HB [4]-[6]. The
ASTM B108 standard specifies the minimum
ultimate tensile strength (σ
uts) of 260 MPa, the
minimum yield strength (σy) of 150 MPa, and the
minimum elongation (e) of 3% for aluminum alloy
A356 after it completed the T6 heat treatment[8].
However, it is worth noting that A356 alloy
exhibits high strength but low ductility,
necessitating simultaneous enhancement of both
properties.
The mechanical characteristics of aluminum
alloys, particularly A356, are primarily
determined by microstructure, morphology, grain