Effects of Copper and Magnesium on Microstructure and Hardness of Al-Cu-Mg Alloys
N. Nafsin1, H. M. M. A. Rashed2
1N. Nafsin, Department of Materials and Metallurgical University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2H. M. M. A. Rashed, Department of Materials and Metallurgical  University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Manuscript received on May 22, 2013. | Revised Manuscript received on June 14, 2013. | Manuscript published on June 30, 2013. | PP: 533-536 | Volume-2, Issue-5, June 2013.  | Retrieval Number: E1751062513/2013©BEIESP

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Abstract: Aluminum alloys with a wide range of properties are used in engineering structures. Selecting the right alloy for a given application entails considerations of its tensile strength, density, ductility, formability, workability, weldability, and corrosion resistance, to name a few. Aluminum alloys are used extensively in aircraft due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. On the other hand, pure aluminum metal is much too soft for such uses, and it does not have the high tensile strength that is needed for airplanes and helicopters. Thus various alloying elements are added to aluminum to enhance the mechanical properties of aluminum. Copper has been the most common alloying element almost since the beginning of the aluminum industry, and a variety of alloys in which copper is the major addition were developed. Magnesium (Mg) used to strengthen and harden aluminum castings. The current research emphasizes establishment of relationship between microstructure and cold deformation behavior of aluminum-copper -magnesium alloys. Aluminum-copper-magnesium alloys with varying Cu% and Mg% were casted and their chemical compositions were determined using Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES). These alloys undergone cold deformation after homogenization and their microstructures were examined using optical microscope. Finally the effects of deformations were studied by measuring the hardness of those alloys.
Keywords: Aluminum alloy, microstructure, cold deformation, hardness.