Effect of mechanical alloying and forward extrusion processes on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-12Sn-1.2Mg alloy.

Due to the importance of the aluminum-tin alloy in the manufacture of wear-resistant parts, the alloy was manufactured after adding magnesium in weight percentage of 1.2% by powder technology, with the adoption of mechanical alloying instead of the traditional mixing. The ratio of steel balls to powder weight in the mechanical alloying process is 1:20 and a mixing time of 12 hours. SEM examination confirmed the occurrences of particle refining. The mixture was compressed at a pressure 660MPa and sintering at a temperature of 600°C. X-ray diffraction examination revealed the interaction between aluminum and magnesium, as well as between magnesium and tin, and the appearance of three intermetallic compounds (Al12Mg17, Al2Mg, and Mg2Sn) without indicating any interaction between tin and aluminum. The mechanical alloying samples after pressing and sintering recorded a comparison strength of 91MPa, while the results after extrusion at 20% and 28% as a reduction in diameter of the samples register an increase of 63% and 150% respectively. Direct extrusion at room temperature helped to increase the mechanical properties and assisted to avoid the use of long durations for the mechanical alloying process and contributed to reducing the alloy production time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]