Title: Effect of the addition of Mn on the tensile properties of a spray-formed and extruded Al-9Si-4Cu-1Fe alloy
Abstract: The microstructure and the tensile properties of a spray-formed and extruded Al-9Si-4Cu-1Fe alloy were investigated. Manganese (0.3, 1, 2 in wt%) was added to the alloy to avoid the formation of the needle-like β-AlFeSi intermetallic phases that are highly detrimental to the alloy's ductility. The deposits were extruded at 623K with a n area reduction of 5 to 1. Small faceted dispersoids surrounding the equiaxial α-Al matrix, mainly in the form of silicon particles, were identified by SEM-EDS, as well as the Mn-containing α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2 phase. The presence of the needle-like β-Al(Fe,Mn)Si was scanty, even with the lowest Mn content. The room temperature tensile tests of all the extruded alloys showed a significant increase in elongation to fracture when compared with the values observed fo r the as-spray formed deposits.This result can be ascribed to the elimination of porosity promoted by the extrusion process and to the smaller grain size of the extruded samples.