Effects of Nb and B on the microstructure and tensile properties of a 6201 alloy

Abstract

The 6201 alloy is widely used in the transmission and distribution of electricity due to the combination of suitable mechanical properties with high electrical conductivity. Despite being a thermomechanically and thermally processed alloy, it previously undergoes melting and solidification stages. The as-cast microstructures formed after solidification may affect the mechanical properties of the final product. Under such context, it is well known that solidification thermal parameters and chemical composition are important factors for changing the mechanical properties of a solidified alloy. The present proposal for scientific initiation aims to verify the effects of niobium (Nb) and the combined addition of Nb and Boron (B) on the microstructure and tensile properties of the rapidly solidified 6201 alloy. In this sense, the Al-0.8% Mg-0.7% Si (6201), Al-0.8% Mg-0.7% Si-0.2% Nb and Al-0.8% Mg- 0.7% Si-0.2% (Nb, B) alloys will be solidified in a copper mold centrifugal casting machine. The microstructures will be revealed and analyzed for each alloy with 3 samples of different thickness (i.e., different cooling rates). For each solidified sample, 3 tensile tests will be performed. Finally, the results obtained for the 3 studied alloys will be compared to each other.