Microstructures and properties of Al-Mg-SI alloy overhead conductor by horizontal continuous casting and continuous extrusion forming process

Al-Mg-Si alloy overhead conductor was prepared by horizontal continuous casting and subsequent continuous extrusion forming. The mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and microstructural evolution of the processed conductor were characterized. It was indicated that improved combined mechanical and electrical conductivity properties were obtained for the processed alloy wires when compared with previously reported results. The enhanced properties were associated with the continuous in-line solution treatment and the refined and homogeneous (sub)grains during horizontal continuous casting and subsequence continuous extrusion forming, as well as a high density of dislocations and finer Mg₂Si precipitates formed after drawn and followed by aging at 155°C for 3h.