Metallurgical processes in AlSi alloy improved by WC nanoparticles

The influence of a modifier based on WC nanoparticles was investigated using bulk Al in a real industrial process using a commercial AlSi hypoeutectic alloy. The modifier was prepared by hot extrusion approach. Its influence was investigated on Al and on commercial Al A356 alloy. The mechanical properties of the Al A356 alloy modified with WC nanoparticles was determined after T6 heat treatment and compared with an unmodified specimen of the same alloy. The results obtained in the modified Al A356 alloy reveal unusual behavior of the mechanical properties, where the elongation of the alloys improved by 32% 64%, while the tensile and the yield strengths remained unchanged. This behavior was attributed to a grain size strengthening mechanism, where strengthening occurs due to the high concentration of grain boundaries, which prevent the dislocations motions in the metal lattice.