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Abstract

An investigation was carried out to determine the effect of Ni addition on the microstructure, hardness, tensile properties and wear rate of the cast Al-0.4Mg-8Si alloy. The Al-0.4Mg-8Si alloy was melted in an electric furnace and Ni was added to the melt in the appropriate amount. The melt was cast in a metal mould. The cast specimens were solutionised and aged. The microstructure was observed using an optical microscope and the phases present in the microstructure were identified using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The hardness, tensile properties, wear rate and coefficient of friction (CoF) were determined. The eutectic Si morphology was refined and an intermediate phase Al3Ni was observed. The hardness and tensile properties increased, wear rate decreased and CoF remained constant for the Ni modified alloy compared to the base Al-0.4Mg-8Si alloy. It is concluded that the Ni addition significantly improves the properties of the base alloy.