DOI: 10.5176/2251-3701_2.1.62
Authors: G Dinesh Babu and M Nageswara Rao
Abstract:
Cast aluminum alloy 354 is widely used for production of critical automobile components, thanks to its outstanding castability and attractive combination of mechanical properties in heat-treated condition. With the engines of higher performance entering the scene, there has been a constant demand to further improve the mechanical behavior of the castings made of the alloy. Exploring improvements in processing has been one important approach in this context. The present study explores the possibility of improving tensile properties of the alloy by adopting certain non conventional aging treatments. The treatments include aging cycles similar to T6I4 and T6I6 referred to in the published literature, artificial aging in two steps instead of in single step and artificial aging preceded by various natural aging times. The results show that these nonconventional treatments do not lead to overall improvement of tensile properties compared to the standard T61 treatment.
Keywords: Cast aluminum alloy 354, Compressor wheel, Nonconventional aging treatments, Tensile properties, Quality indices
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