| Summary: | In the present work we analyze the variations in microhardness as a function of both microstructure and load applied in Al-Cu, Al-Si, Al-Li, Al-Mg, Al-Zn and Cu-Zn alloys directionally solidified. The microstructures analyzed were columnar, equiaxed and columnar to equiaxed (CET) transition zones. Microhardness measurements were made at room temperature using a Buehler microdurometer and loads between 10 and 1000 gf were used. Furthermore, variations in microhardness as a function of concentration and as a function of both sample length and width are reported. We noticed that the microhardness values decrease when the load increase reaching almost constant values at higher loads. We observed that bulk alloys have greater microhardness values than those directionally solidified. The experimental results are analyzed and discussed.
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