Nanoindentation study of the effect of the structural state of the melt on the crystal structure and mechanical properties of the phases in an Al-50 wt % Sn alloy

Abstract

Nanoindentation is used to measure Young's modulus, the hardness, the plasticity, and the yield strength of the phases in Al-50 wt % Sn alloy samples prepared by a traditional method and using liquid-state homogenization. The effect of an increase in the cooling rate by an order of magnitude and alloying with 0.06 wt % Ti or 1 wt % Zr on the mechanical properties of the phases in the Al-50 wt % Sn alloy is studied. The most substantial effect on Young's modulus of the phases in the Al-50 wt % Sn alloy is found to be exerted by the homogenization of the metallic liquid and the introduction of zirconium in the alloy melt: the metal forming of an ingot is improved substantially. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.