Effect of Zr addition on the aging behavior of A319 aluminum cast alloy

The structure, age hardening response, precipitate type and hardness of A319 cast aluminum alloy without and with zirconium addition were investigated. The as-solutionized and artificially-aged hardness values were higher for the Zr-containing alloy. This is believed to be a consequence of the precipitation of Al3Zr particles produced during sufficiently long solutionizing treatments.