SYNTHESIZING OF AN ALUMINUM ALLOY RICH IN IRON AND SILICON BY SURFACING WITH A CONSUMABLE ELECTRODE

Abstract

Developing lightweight, high-strength materials is an important technological problem of the present decade. However, alloying with expensive elements is mainly used to increase the strength of structural materials. In contrast, aluminum alloys with a specific ratio of silicon and iron show very high mechanical properties. This work aims to develop a technology for synthesizing an aluminium-based alloy with a high content of iron and silicon, consisting mainly of intermetallic phases and having high strength and hardness. The additive technology method of surfacing with a consumable electrode produced the alloy. The ratio of the initial components, meticulously determined, led to the precise chemical composition of the alloy. As a result of the synthesis, an ingot with a uniform microstructure and insignificant porosity, a testament to the careful process, was obtained. At room temperature, the alloy has a phase composition of 42.6% β-phase, 43.4% θ-phase and 13.5% FCC-phase. Phases β and θ are large particles between which the FCC aluminum phase is located. The hardness of the intermetallic β/θ is 450.8±5 HV1, FCC aluminum has a hardness of 92.5 HV1. This research has the potential to inspire further developments in materials science and engineering.