Aluminum Alloy with High Mg Content: Casting Studies for Microstructural Evolution, Phase Formation and Thermophysical Properties with Different Alloying Elements

Global strategy for material science in the automotive industry is to use the lightweight material. In the present work, the casting of aluminum alloy with high magnesium content has been performed with the addition of B, Sr, Ti and Zr. Gravity sand casting and permanent mold casting methods were used. Microstructural evolution has been studied along with phase formations during solidification. Microstructural changes of each alloying element have been observed via optical and SEM microscopy. XRD analysis has been done for evaluation of phase formations. TGA analysis has been done to evaluate thermos physical properties. The reduced pressure test was carried out to quantify melt cleanliness and bi-film content. Indentation tests were carried out, and a linear relationship was found between mechanical test results and bi-film index.