Investigation of the as-solidified microstructure of an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy

The as-solidified microstructure of an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Quaternary Q particles were found to elongate preferentially along the solidification direction of the cylindrical cast ingot, whilst a small number of Si leaf-like particles aggregate mainly along the grain boundaries. The volume fractions of the Q and Si particles are quantitatively measured from electron microscopy images and thermodynamically simulated based on the Scheil-Gulliver solidification model. The results from experimental measurement agree well with those from simulation. The Q particles, which have dendrite-like internal structure and are uniformly distributed within the α-Al grains with a different orientation from that found in the aged alloys, are fast-dissolving and aid the formation of uniform aged microstructures. The aggregation of the Si particles along the grain boundaries in the as-solidified microstructure results in Si-rich boundaries even after a solution treatment, and causes the re-emergence of Si particles in the over-aged microstructure. This phenomenon helps to reduce the width of the precipitate-free zones.