In this study, changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast and extruded Al-2Li-1Ce alloy materials were investigated as the Mg content was varied. The density decreased to 2.485, 2.46 and 2.435 g/cm3 when the Mg content in the Al-2Li-1Ce alloy was increased to 2, 4 and 6 wt%, respectively. Intermetallic compounds of Al11Ce3 were observed in all alloys, while the β-phase of Al3Mg2 was observed in alloys containing 6 wt% of Mg. In the extruded material, with increasing Mg content the average grain size decreased to 84.8, 71.6 and 36.2 μm, and the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries (greater than 15°) increased to 82.8 %, 88.6 %, and 91.8 %, respectively. This occurred because the increased Mg content promotes dynamic recrystallization during hot extrusion. Tensile test results showed that as the Mg content increased, both the yield strength and tensile strength increased. The yield strength reached 86.1, 107.3, and 186.4 MPa, and the tensile strength reached 215.2, 285, and 360.5 MPa, respectively. However, it is worth noting that the ductility decreased to 27.78 %, 25.65 %, and 20.72 % as the Mg content increased. This reduction in ductility is attributed to the strengthening effect resulting from the increased amount of dissolved Mg, and grain refinement due to dynamic recrystallization.

This research investigated how adding Sb (0.75, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 wt%) to as-extruded aluminum alloys affected their microstructure, mechanical properties, electric and thermal conductivity. The addition of Sb resulted in the formation of AlSb intermetallic compounds. It was observed that intermetallic compounds in the alloys were distributed homogenously in the Al matrix. As the content of Sb increased, the area fraction of intermetallic compounds increased. It can be clearly seen that the intermetallic compounds were crushed into fine particles and homogenously arrayed during the extrusion process. As the Sb content increased, the average grain size decreased remarkably from 282.6 μm (0.75 wt%) to 109.2 μm (5.0 wt%) due to dynamic recrystallization by the dispersed intermetallic compounds in the aluminum matrix during the hot extrusion. As the Sb content increased from 0.75 to 2.0 wt%, the electrical conductivity decreased from 61.0 to 59.8 % of the International Annealed Copper Standard. Also, as the Sb content increased from 0.75 to 2.0 wt%, the ultimate tensile strength did not significantly change, from 67.3 to 67.8 MPa.

This research investigated the effect of Si addition on the microstructure, mechanical properties, electric and thermal conductivity of as-extruded Al 6013 alloys. As the content of Si increased, the area fraction of the second phase increased. As the Si content increased, the average grain size decreased remarkably, from 182 (no Si addition) to 142 (1.5Si), 78 (3.0Si) and 77 μm (4.5Si) due to dynamic recrystallization by the dispersed second particles in the aluminum matrix during the hot extrusion. As the Si content increased, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased. The maximum values of yield strength and ultimate tensile strength were 224 MPa and 103 MPa for the 6013-4.5Si alloy. As the amount of Si added increased, the electrical and thermal conductivity decreased. The electrical and thermal conductivity of the Al6013-4.5Si alloy were 44.0% IACS and 165.0 W/mK, respectively. The addition of Si to Al 6013 alloy had a significant effect on its thermal conductivity and mechanical properties.

Aluminum-based powders have attracted attention as key materials for 3D printing owing to their low density, high specific strength, high corrosion resistance, and formability. This study describes the effects of TiC addition on the microstructure of the A6013 alloy. The alloy powder was successfully prepared by gas atomization and further densified using an extrusion process. We have carried out energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to investigate the effect of TiC addition on the microstructure and texture evolution of the A6013 alloy. The atomized A6013-xTiC alloy powder is fine and spherical, with an initial powder size distribution of approximately 73 μm which decreases to 12.5, 13.9, 10.8, and 10.0 μm with increments in the amount of TiC.

In this paper, the effect of Ni (0, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%) additions on the microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of cast and extruded Al-MM-Sb alloy is studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and a universal tensile testing machine. Molten aluminum alloy is maintained at 750 oC and then poured into a mold at 200 oC. Aluminum alloys are hot-extruded into a rod that is 12 mm in diameter with a reduction ratio of 39:1 at 550 oC. The addition of Ni results in the formation of Al11RE3, AlSb and Al3Ni intermetallic compounds; the area fraction of these intermetallic compounds increases with increasing Ni contents. As the amount of Ni increases, the average grain sizes of the extruded Al alloy decrease to 1359, 536, and 153 μm, and the high-angle grain boundary fractions increase to 8, 20, and 34 %. As the Ni content increases from 0 to 1.0 wt%, the electrical conductivity is not significantly different, with values from 57.4 to 57.1 % IACS.

Laser cladding a surface treatment process that grants superior characteristics such as toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance to the surface, and rebuilds cracked molds; as such, it can be a strong tool to prolong service life of mold steel. Furthermore, compared with the other similar coating processes – thermal spray, etc., laser cladding provides superior bonding strength and precision coating on a local area. In this study, surface characteristics are studied after laser cladding of low carbon steel using 18%Cr-2.5%Ni-Fe powder (Rockit404), known for its high hardness and excellent corrosion resistance. A diode laser with wavelength of 900-1070 nm is adopted as laser source under argon atmosphere; electrical power for the laser cladding process is 5, 6, and 10 kW. Fundamental surface characteristics such as crossectional microstructure and hardness profile are observed and measured, and special evaluation, such as a soldering test with molten ALDC12 alloy, is conducted to investigate the corrosion resistance characteristics. As a result of the die-soldering test by immersion of low carbon alloy steel in ALDC12 molten metal, the clad layer's soldering thickness decreases.

The powder manufacturing process using the gas atomizer process is easy for mass production, has a fine powder particle size, and has excellent mechanical properties compared to the existing casting process, so it can be applied to various industries such as automobiles, electronic devices, aviation, and 3D printers. In this study, a modified A4032-xSn (x = 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt.%) alloy with low melting point properties is investigated. After maintaining an argon (Ar) gas atmosphere, the main crucible is tilted; containing molten metal at 1,000℃ by melting the master alloy at a high frequency, and Ar gas is sprayed at 10 bar gas pressure after the molten metal inflow to the tundish crucible, which is maintained at 800℃. The manufactured powder is measured using a particle size analyzer, and FESEM is used to observe the shape and surface of the alloy powder. DSC is performed to investigate the change in shape, according to the melting point and temperature change. The microstructure of added tin (Sn) was observed by heat treatment at 575℃ for 10 min. As the content of Sn increased, the volume fraction increased to 1.1, 3.1, 6.4, and 10.9%.

The effect of adding Ca on the microstructural and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-11Li-3Zn-1Sn(wt%) alloys were investigated. Mg-11Li-3Zn-1Sn-0.4Mn with different Ca additions (0.4, 0.8, 1.2 wt%) were cast under an SF6 and Co2 atmosphere at 720 oC. The cast billets were homogenized at 400 oC for 12h and extruded at 200 oC. The microstructural and mechanical properties were analyzed by OM, XRD, SEM, and tensile tests. The addition of Ca to the Mg-11Li-3Zn-1Sn-0.4Mn alloy resulted in the formation of Ca2Mg6Zn3, MgSnCa intermetallic compound. By increasing Ca addition, the volume fraction and size of Ca2Mg6Zn3 with needle shape were increased. This Ca2Mg6Zn3 intermetallic compound was elongated to the extrusion direction and refined to fine particles due to severe deformation during hot extrusion. The elongation of the 0.8 wt% Ca containing alloy improved remarkably without reduction strength due to the formation of fine grain and Ca2Mg6Zn3 intermetallic compounds by Ca addition. It is probable that fine and homogeneous Ca2Mg6Zn3 intermetallic compounds played a significant role in the increase of mechanical properties.

Hot rolling of Mg-6Zn-0.6Zr-0.4Ag-0.2Ca-(0, 8 wt%)Li powder was conducted at the temperature of 300 oC by putting the powder into the Cu pipe. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples were observed. Mg-6Zn- 0.6Zr-0.4Ag-0.2Ca without Li element was consisted of α phase and precipitates. The microstructure of the 8 wt%Li containing alloy consisted of two phases (α-Mg phase and β-Li phase). In addition, Mg2Zn3Li was formed in 8%Li added Mg-6Zn-0.6Zr- 0.4Ag-0.2Ca alloy. By addition of the Li element, the non-basal planes were expanded to the rolling direction, which was different from the based Mg alloy without Li. The tensile strength was gradually decreased from 357.1 MPa to 264 MPa with increasing Li addition from 0% to 8%Li. However, the elongation of the alloys was remarkably increased from 10 % to 21% by addition of the Li element to 8%. It is clearly considered that the non-basal texture and β phase contribute to the increase of elongation and formability.