Efeito de adições de Ni e Mg sobre o comportamento térmico, mecânico e elétrico de ligas Al-Cu-Fe solidificadas unidirecionalmente

Abstract

This work studied the influence of Mg and Ni solute content on the modification of the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of an Al-Cu-Fe alloy for application as an electrical conductor. To realize the present study, the alloys were obtained by unidirectional horizontal casting, starting from the commercial pure aluminum with the addition of 0.05wt% Cu and [0.24 to 0.28]wt% Fe content. This basis was modified on a first stage with 0.45, 0.60 and 0.80wt% of Mg content. The alloys obtained with these contents had its properties studied for the selection of a Mg content for further Ni addition at the alloy. The study of these properties on the first stage passed through the analysis of the thermal properties: growth rate (VL) and cooling rate (Ṫ). The electrical characterization studied the electrical conductivity property (φ) and the following mechanical properties were determined: ultimate tensile strength (σ) and Vickers microhardness (HV). The alloy which has Ni additions passed through ageing heat treatments of 1, 4 and 8 hours. These samples were analyzed in a scanning electron microscope – SEM by the electrons backscattered – EBS and energy dispersive spectroscopy – EDS signals. As a result of the research, it was found that Mg additions had significantly influenced the alloys viscosity, increasing its growth rates at the final moments of the solidification. The microhardness tests for the aged samples showed that they suffered a significant gain of hardness at the fourth hour of ageing, also, the EDS analysis showed that Ni content increased at the same treating conditions.