Effect of Ni addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu–Zn alloys with a high Mg/Si ratio

The effect of adding 0.03wt% Ni on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si-Cu-Zn alloys was systematically studied. The results reveal that the number density of spherical Fe-rich phases within grains increases with the addition of Ni, accompanied by the formation of Q (Al3Mg9Si7Cu2) precipitates around the spherical Fe-rich phases. Additionally, Ni addition is beneficial to reducing the grain size in the as-cast state. During the homogenization process, Q phases could be completely dissolved and the grain size could remain basically unchanged. However, compared with the Ni-free alloy, the Fe-rich phase in the Ni-containing alloy is more likely to undergo the phase transformation and further form more spherical particles during homogenization treatment. After thermomechanical processing, the distribution of Fe-rich phases in the Ni-containing alloy was further greatly improved and directly resulted in a greater formability than that of the Ni-free alloy. Accordingly, a reasonable Ni addition positively affected the microstructure and formability of the alloys.