The effect of solution treatment on mechanical properties (UTS, elongation, Brinell hardness) and microstructure (Si-morphology and Si-size) of an aluminium alloy (A356) used for casting engine blocks was studied. The tests were carried out with specimens machined from the bulkheads of V8 engine blocks cast by the low pressure process. The samples were tested in as-cast and T6 heat treating conditions (solution heat treatment at 530°C with different time - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 hours, quenching in water at 20°C and precipitation hardened for 4 hour at 160°C.

The results show that used heat treatment improves mechanical properties of the engine block casts. Tensile strength and hardness of specimens increase with solution treatment time. The hardness is a reflection of solution strengthening and silicon particle distribution in matrix. Solution temperature 530°C and 5 hours solution time is appropriate to obtain better morphology and distribution of Si particles in microstructure. Prolonged solution treatment (more than 5 hours) leads to a coarsening of the Si particles, while the numerical Si density decreases. As the particle density decreases, a fewer number of sites are available for crack nucleation, and hence, the fracture properties are improved. The data obtained from this study will be used to improve process control, and to help the selection of heat treatment of the casting for future products.