| Title： | Achieving optimal strength-conductivity balance in cast Al-2.3Fe-Mg-Si alloys via Mg/Si ratio regulation | |
| Author： | Yu-fei Zhang1, Xi-long Luo1, Zheng-hao Shao1, *Qun Luo1, Bin Hu2, Hong-zhou Lu3, and **Qian Li1, 2, 4, 5 | |
| Address： | 1. State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; 2. Chongqing Institute of New Energy Storage Materials and Equipment, Chongqing 401135, China; 3. CITIC Metal Co., Ltd., Beijing 100004, China; 4. College of Materials Science and Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; 5. Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Conductor Materials, Institute of Materials, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou 450001, China | |
| Key words： | Al-Fe alloy; second phase; T6 heat treatment; electrical conductivity; mechanical properties | |
| CLC Nmuber： | TG146.21 | |
| Document Code： | A | |
| Article ID： | 1672-6421(2026)03-345-12 | |
| Abstract： |
The Al-2.3Fe eutectic alloy is regarded as a promising substitute for Cu conductors in automotive motors owing to its excellent castability and low resistivity. However, its application is restricted by the mutually exclusive relationship between electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. The microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-2.3Fe alloy were modified through Mg/Si alloying combined with T6 heat treatment in this work, leading to the development of a high-performance cast Al-2.3Fe-Mg-Si alloy. In the Al-2.3Fe-0.40Mg-0.72Si (Mg/Si=0.56) alloy subjected to T6 treatment, an electrical conductivity of (52.5±0.6)% IACS is achieved, while the ultimate tensile strength is significantly enhanced to 309.5±5.6 MPa. The addition of Mg and Si brings about marked changes in the solidification process of the Al-2.3Fe alloy, resulting in considerable variations in both the morphology of the second phase and its phase constitution. The aging behavior of the alloy is governed by second phase and solid solubility. Through optimization of the Mg/Si ratio, the aging response can be effectively enhanced. At the ratio of Mg/Si=0.56, a balance is achieved between solid solubility and precipitation, while simultaneously minimizing the detrimental impact on electrical conductivity and reaching the best mechanical properties and electrical conductivity in peak-aged Al-2.3Fe-xMg-ySi alloy. This work providing valuable insights for developing advanced conductor materials.
|
