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Optimization of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity in Al–Mg–Si 6201 alloys with different Mg/Si ratios

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Abstract

The effects of the Mg/Si ratio and aging treatment on the strength and electrical conductivity of Al–Mg–Si 6201 conductor alloys were investigated. Four experimental alloys with different Mg/Si ratios of 2, 1.5, 1, and 0.86 and with a constant Mg level of 0.65 wt% were prepared. It was revealed that excessive Si (a low Mg/Si ratio) increased the peak strength, while the corresponding electrical conductivity decreased. To fulfill the minimum required electrical conductivity (52.5% IACS), the alloys with low Mg/Si ratios required a longer aging time after peak aging to improve electrical conductivity. The alloy with an Mg/Si ratio of ~1 was the best candidate, exhibiting the highest strength up to 54% IACS. On the high end of electrical conductivity (54–56% IACS), the alloy with an Mg/Si ratio of ~1.5 provides a better compromise between strength and electrical conductivity. Furthermore, the strengthening mechanisms and the factors influencing electrical conductivity were discussed for further optimization.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) under the Grant No. CRDPJ 514651-17 and Rio Tinto Aluminum through the Research Chair in the Metallurgy of Aluminum Transformation at University of Quebec in Chicoutimi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Science, University of Québec at Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Québec, G7H 2B1, Canada

    Siamak Nikzad Khangholi, Mousa Javidani & X.-Grant Chen

  2. Arvida Research and Development Center, Rio Tinto Aluminum, Saguenay, Quebec, G7S 4K8, Canada

    Alexandre Maltais

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  1. Siamak Nikzad Khangholi
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Correspondence to Siamak Nikzad Khangholi.

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Nikzad Khangholi, S., Javidani, M., Maltais, A. et al. Optimization of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity in Al–Mg–Si 6201 alloys with different Mg/Si ratios. Journal of Materials Research 35, 2765–2776 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2020.249

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