Mechanical properties and joinability of the near-eutectic aluminium casting alloy AlSi12

One of the most important strategies for reducing CO2 emissions in the mobility sector is lightweight construction. In particular, the car body offers several opportunities for weight reduction. Multi-material designs are increasingly being applied to select the most suitable material for the respective load and ultimately achieve synergy effects. For example, aluminium castings are used at the nodes of a spaceframe body. Subsequently, these are joined with profiles to form the bodyshell. To join different materials mechanical joining techniques, such as semi-tubular self-piercing riveting, are deployed. According to the current state of the art, cracks occur in the aluminium castings during the mechanical joining process as a result of the high degree of deformation. Although the aluminium casting alloys of the AlSi-system exhibit low ductility, these alloys reveal excellent castability. In particular, the ability to cast thin structural parts is enabled by the low liquidus point of the near eutectic aluminium casting alloys. This study addresses the mechanical joining properties of the near eutectic aluminium casting alloy AlSi12, depending on different microstructures. These are achieved by annealing processes and modifying agents. Through an adapted heat treatment, the previously lamellar morphology can be transformed into a globular morphology, which leads to increased ductility and prevents the formation of cracks during the self-piercing riveting (SPR). The joinability is investigated using different die geometries, whereas the joint formation is analysed regarding crack initiation. To evaluate the increased ductility, microstructural and mechanical tests are performed and finally, a microstructure-joinability correlation is established.