Evaluating the mechanical properties of a thermomechanically processed unmodified A356 Al alloy employing shear punch testing method

The effects of thermomechanical processing (TMP) parameters on the microstructure evolution and final mechanical properties of an unmodified A356 Al alloy have been investigated. The evaluation of mechanical properties was carried out using shear punch testing (SPT) method. The applied TMP cycles encompassed a set of isothermal hot compression tests in the temperature range of 420–540 °C under various strain rates of 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 s−1. The results indicate that increasing both the TMP temperature and strain rate has enhanced the room temperature strength of the experimental alloy. Furthermore, while ductility follows a similar improving trend with increasing the TMP temperature, it is deteriorated by increasing the strain rate. The obtained results are reasoned debating the role of solute atoms and the changes in Si particles shape and size. The present work also made use of quality index (Q) to measure the mechanical performance of the TMPed unmodified A356 Al alloy.

► Spheroidization of Si particles at relatively low temperatures and times using TMP.
► Higher UTS values obtained upon TMP at higher temperatures and strain rates.
► Higher ductility obtained upon TMP at higher temperatures under lower strain rates.
► Assessing the overall mechanical performance of TMPed specimens using quality index.