Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-7.5Cu-1Si with Fe Content Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

This study investigated the effects of the Fe content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–7.5Cu–1Si alloys prepared via powder metallurgy. The results indicated that the alloy initially consisted of α, Al₂Cu and Si phases without Fe. When the Fe content was 2 wt pct, the Al₄Cu₉, Al₇Cu₂Fe, Al₂Fe and Al₁₃Fe₄ phases appeared in the alloy, whereas the Al₂Cu and Si phases decreased. With increasing Fe content, the Al₇Cu₂Fe phase gradually increased, the Al₄Cu₉ phase gradually increased and dispersed, and the Al₂Cu phase and Si phase gradually decreased. As the Fe content increased, the sintered density and hardness of the alloy varied drastically, and the tensile strength first tended to increase but then decreased. When the Fe concentration was 1 wt pct, the maximum sintering density of the alloy was 98.5 pct. When the Fe concentration was 6 wt pct, the maximum hardness of the alloy was 63.5HB. When the content of Fe was 2 wt pct, the maximum tensile strength of the alloy was 182 MPa.