Publication

Abstract : pLM13 Aluminium alloy of variable section sizes have been extensively used in the automotive and aerospace industry. This paper reports the influence of heat Treatment and aging process on the microstructure, mechanical properties of LM13 aluminium alloy sections. Experiment is performed by melting of Aluminium ingot using heat treatment furnace and poured into sand mould cavity of varying section sizes. Microstructure, mechanical properties like hardness, tensile strength and impact strength were measured during as-cast, heat treated and aged condition. ASTM standard B917-01 was followed for heat treatment of LM13 Aluminium Alloy. Cast section was kept at 537°C for 12 hrs for heat treatment, followed by aging at a temperature of 155°C for 5 hrs. The result obtained indicates that at as-cast condition, microstructure changes from coarse to fine with decrease in section size. It was also observed that, mechanical properties also improve with decrease in section size. At heat treated and aged condition, it was observed that almost similar microstructure was observed. Further, the mechanical properties were improved when compared to as-cast condition and variation is irrespective to section size. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd./p