Effect of Semi-Solid Isothermal Heat Treatment on Microstructure of ZL104 Aluminum Alloy

The feasibility of fabricating ZL104 aluminum alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by semi-solid isothermal heat treatment process and the effects of holding temperature and time on the semi-solid isothermal heat-treated microstructure of the alloy, are investigated. The research results indicate that it is possible to produce ZL104 alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by a suitable semi-solid isothermal heat treatment. After treated at 580 ℃ for 120 min, the ZL104 alloy can obtain a non-dendritic microstructure with an 49% liquid content and an average size range of 115 μm of the unmelted primary solid particles. In addition, an increase in the holding time from 30 to 120 min for a given holding temperature of 580 ℃ or in the holding temperature from 570 to 580 ℃ for a given holding time of 120 min causes the average size and globular tendency of unmelted primary solid particles in the semi-solid ZL104 alloy to decrease and become more obvious, respectively.

The feasibility of fabricating ZL104 aluminum alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by semi-solid isothermal heat treatment process and the effects of holding temperature and time on the semi-solid isothermal heat-treated microstructure of the alloy, are investigated. The research results indicate that it is possible to produce ZL104 alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by a suitable semi-solid isothermal heat treatment. After treated at 580 ℃ for 120 min, the ZL104 alloy can obtain a non-dendritic microstructure with an 49% liquid content and an average size range of 115 μm of the unmelted primary solid particles. In addition, an increase in the holding time from 30 to 120 rain for a given holding temperature of 580 ℃ or in the holding temperature from 570 to 580 ℃ for a given holding time of 120 min causes the average size and globular tendency of unmelted primary solid particles in the semi-solid ZL104 alloy to decrease and become more obvious, respectively.