Structure and physicomechanical properties of Al-Si alloys

Al-Si alloy samples with a silicon content of 8–15 wt % are grown by the Stepanov method at a solidification rate of 10 2 and 10 3 μm/s. The microstructure of the samples is examined, and the stress-strain curves obtained during tension and bending at a strain rate of 10 −4 s −1 are studied. The behavior of Young’s modulus, the modulus defect, and ultrasonic attenuation is investigated. The silicon content in a eutectic structure is found to increase with the solidification rate. The yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength increase with the silicon content up to a eutectic composition. The quality index (which characterizes the strength and plasticity of the material) of Stepanov-grown samples is higher than the quality indices of traditional modified ingots.