Influence of Homogenization Temperature on Mechanical Properties from Outer to Inner Zone of Al–Cu–Si Alloy Castings

Impact of variation in mechanical properties from the outer to inner zone of aluminium–copper–silicon (Al–1.5Cu–0.5Si) sand cast alloy was studied by applying three different homogenization thermodynamic states (425, 500 and 575 °C respectively) at a constant soaking time of 10 h. The effect of hardness, strength, and percentage deformation on specimens were measured at outer, middle and inner zones of the sectioned rods in both as-cast and homogenized conditions. The hardness and tensile strength of the specimens were decreased from outer zone to inner zone in both as-cast and all homogenized conditions; whereas its individual value with respect to various zones decreased with increased homogenization temperatures. It was also observed that the percentage elongation of the alloy varied inversely with the hardness and tensile strength values, and also that the hardness values varied proportional to the tensile strength.