Effects of Cu, Mg, and Sr additions on the mechanical properties and machinability of near-eutectic Al-11%S casting alloys

Abstract

This study was conducted with the intention of investigating a new experimental alloy, namely the 396 alloy which belongs to the Al-Si near-eutectic cast alloy group and contains about 11%Si. In the light of the above, the main purpose of the work is to report on the changes observed in the mechanical and/or machinability criteria resulting from the effects of the presence of two levels of Cu, namely 2.25% and 3.5%; and of the effects of two levels of Mg, namely 0.3 and 0.6%. In addition to the preceding, the effects of Mg-free alloys and Sr-modification on these same alloys were also investigated.