Microstructure and properties of A357 aluminium alloy treated by pulsed magnetic field

This study examined the effects of a pulsed magnetic field (PMF) on the solidified microstructure and properties of A357 aluminium alloy. Results showed that the solidified microstructure of the alloy treated by a PMF was refined. The treated alloy in the T6 state had superior mechanical properties, with the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation increasing by 48 MPa (18.5%), 46 MPa (16.4%) and 4.8% (142%), respectively, when compared with the untreated alloy. When testing at room temperature, with a strain amplitude of 1 × 10 −4 and at a frequency of 1 Hz, the damping capacity value was 14.2 × 10 −3 for the alloy subjected to a PMF treatment, which increased by nearly 170% when compared with the untreated alloy.