Aluminum properties, a model for calculating mechanical properties in AlSiMgFe-foundry alloys

A semi-empirical model named ALPROP has been developed for the calculation of tensile properties and hardness in AlSiMg(Fe) Foundry Alloys. With chemical composition, dendrite arm spacing (DAS) and heat treatment parameters as input the model calculates tensile properties and hardness for material in as cast, solid solution heat treated and in artificially aged condition.The model, which takes into consideration the relationship between the different input parameters and the link to basic metallurgical features, shows good agreement with experimental results.The ALPROP model has proved to be a useful tool for tailoring mechanical properties by correct choice of chemical composition and process parameters, for analysing consequences and identifying possible actions when having unintended process variations, identifying improvement potensials and for training of foundry staff