Heat treatments effect on A357 components produced by SSM

The present work studies the effect the solution heat treatment, during artificial ageing and re-aging, has on the mechanical properties of an A357 aluminium alloy component formed by New Rheocasting. The effect that the evolution of silicon, during the solution treatment at various times, has on the mechanical properties was also examined. The mechanical properties were evaluated performing tensile tests, fractographical analysis and hardness tests. The microstructural characterization was made using optical and electronic microscopy.