Effect of thermal ageing treatment on the mechanical properties of antimony-modified A356.0-type Al-Si-Mg alloy

Studies have been made on the mechanical properties upon thermal ageing of a sand cast antimony-modified A356-type Al-Si-Mg alloy. The produced alloy was solution heat treated at 540oC/1 h then subjected to thermal ageing treatment at 180oC for 1-5 h. There mechanical properties; Tensile properties, Hardness and Impact strength were used as criterion. From the results, the tensile properties and hardness increased with thermal ageing treatment. While the impact energy and elongation decreased upon ageing. The tensile properties of antimony-modified Al-Si-Mg alloy improved with ageing time and that the microstructures indicate spherodization of the silicon flakes to fine structures, which account for the improved propertie