About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Circular Metallurgy: Design, Technology, Application
|
| Presentation Title |
Controlling Iron-Bearing Intermetallics for Impurity-Tolerant Recycled 6xxx Aluminum Sheet Alloys |
| Author(s) |
Ravi Kumar, Xiao-Xiang Yu, John Carsley , Alan A. Luo |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ravi Kumar |
| Abstract Scope |
The increasing use of recycled aluminum in automotive sheet applications requires improved tolerance to iron (Fe) and other impurities, which promote the formation of often-detrimental Fe-bearing intermetallic compounds (IMCs). This study investigates the effects of Fe content and Mn/Cr microalloying on phase formation, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties of 6xxx aluminum alloys. CALPHAD calculations guided alloy design, and laboratory-scale casting replicated industrial direct-chill casting conditions. Cast billets were homogenized, hot rolled, and cold rolled to 1.0 mm sheets. Microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and MIPAR image analysis was used to quantify IMCs. Mechanical properties were evaluated in the F, T4, after paint bake and peak-aged (T6) tempers. Results demonstrate that Mn/Cr additions modify Fe-bearing intermetallic formation and influence the resulting strength–ductility balance, providing potential pathways for increasing Fe tolerance in recycled 6xxx sheet alloys. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Solidification |