Simulation of the transformation of iron intermetallics during homogenization of 6xxx series extrudable aluminum alloys

Abstract

A computational simulation of the beta-AlFeSi to alpha-AlFeSi transformation has been performed in this work by integrating the process steps of solidification and homogenization. The composition profiles of alloying elements as well as the profiles of weight fractions of all solid phases computed after solidification were entered as input for the simulation of the homogenization process which involves the dissolution of the Mg2Si and the transformation of beta-AlFeSi to alpha-AlFeSi intermetallics. The transformation fraction was computed as a function of homogenization temperature and time and the transformation kinetics compares well with published experimental data. The evolution of alpha-AlFeSi weight fraction profile and the effect of grain size on transformation kinetics were also computed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.