Preparation for Semi-Solid Aluminum Alloy Slurry under Weak Electromagnetic Stirring Conditions

The effects of pouring temperature, short electromagnetic stirring with low strength and then soaking treatment on the microstructure of AISi7Mg alloy were investigated. The results show that if AlSi7Mg alloy is poured at 630 or 650℃ and meanwhile stirred by an electromagnetic field at a low power for a short time, the pouring process can be easily controlled and most solidified primary α-Al grains become spherical and only a few of them are rosette-like. Weak electromagnetic stirring makes the temperature field more homogeneous and makes the primary α-Al grains disperse in a larger region, which leads to the spherical microstructures of primary α-Al grains. When the AISi7Mg alloy is soaked or reheated at the semisolid state, the primary α-Al grains ripen further and they become more spherical, which is favorable to the semi-solid forming of AlSi7Mg alloy.

Annulus electromagnetic stirring for preparing semisolid A357 aluminum alloy slurry

The effects of pouring temperature and annulus gap width on the microstructure of the semi-solid A357 aluminum alloy slurry prepared by annulus electromagnetic stirring(AEMS)technology were investigated.The results show that low pouring temperature and narrow annulus gap are advantageous to obtaining the small spherical primaryα(Al)phase.The lower the pouring temperature is and the smaller the annulus gap width is,the more uniform,the smaller and the more spherical the microstructure is. The microstructures obtained by the ordinary electromagnetic stirring and AEMS were compared.The results indicate that the primaryα(Al)particles are globular,small and distribute homogeneously in the slurry obtained by AEMS.But in the slurry obtained by the ordinary electromagnetic stirring,the primaryα(Al)particles are small dendrites in the edge of the slurry and they are large and rosette-like or dendritic in the inner of the slurry.

Effect of pouring temperature on semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy prepared by weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature on the slurry manufactured by weak electromagnetic stirring were researched. The results indicate that it is feasible to manufacture the slurry with particle-like primary phases by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring, and there is an important effect of the pouring temperature (superheat temperature) on the morphology and the size of primaryα-Al in A356 Al alloy. By the action of suitable weak electromagnetic stirring, increasing pouring temperature to put low superheat pouring in practice is capable of obtaining semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy with particle-like primary phase. Compared with the samples made only by low superheat pouring without stirring, raising pouring temperature by 15-35 ℃ above the liquidus temperature under condition of weak electromagnetic stirring can ensure the same grain size and morphology of the primary phase.

Research on semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy prepared by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouting temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry were investigated. The results indicated that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting can be manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature （or superheat） and the stirring power remarkably affected the morphology of primary α-Al and the size of primary α-Al, and there is no obvious effect of stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring with no stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 were markedly improved by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. On the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be suitably raised to reach the effectiveness obtained from the lower pouring temperature without stirring.

Manufacture technique of semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry making process were investigated. The results indicate that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting requirement can be made by a combination of low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature (or superheat) and the stirring power significantly affect the morphology and the size of primary α-Al, while there is no obvious effect of the stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring without stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 Al alloy are markedly improved by a process of applying both low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. Under the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring applied, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be equivalently to reach the effectiveness obtained from the even lower pouring temperature without stirring.

EFFECT OF GRAIN REFINING ON PRIMARYαPHASE IN SEMI-SOLID A356 ALLOY PREPARED BY LOW SUPERHEAT POURING AND SLIGHT ELECTROMAGNETIC STIRRING

The semi-solid slurry of A356 alloy, which is grain-refined by Al-Ti-B master alloy, is prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring. The effects of grain refining on the morphology and the grain size of the primary α phase in the slurry manufactured are researched. The results indicate that the slurry with particle-like and rosette-like primary α phases can be prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring from liquid A356 alloy grain-refined, in which the pouring temperature can be suitably raised. Compared with the A356 samples without grain refining, the grain size and particle morphology of primary α phase as well as the distribution of the grain with particle-like or rosette-like along radial in the ingot in A356 are markedly improved by grain refining.

Effects of annular electromagnetic stirring processing parameters on semi-solid slurry production

A computational model coupling an electromagnetic model with a macroscopic heat and fluid flow model in semi-solid aluminum alloy slurry preparation by annular electromagnetic stirring(A-EMS) was developed.Effects of A-EMS processing parameters,such as stirring current,stirring frequency and stirring gap width,on macroscopic transport phenomena during the solidification were analyzed by commercial software ANSYS 10.0 with corresponding experimental verification.The results show that the magnetic flux density and the melt velocity increase and the temperature difference decreases as stirring gap width and stirring frequency decrease or the stirring current increases.The slurry with the fine and uniform globular grain structure can be gained by adjusting gap width,electromagnetic frequency and current,such as under the conditions of 10 mm of gap width,10 Hz of electromagnetic frequency and 50 A of current.The calculated results are in reasonably good agreement with the measured ones.

Preparation of semi-solid slurry at power frequency by annulus electromagnetic stirring method

The effect of stirring frequency on the semi-solid A357 aluminum alloy microstructure was investigated by annulus electromagnetic stirring(AEMS) method. The microstructures obtained by AEMS method and ordinary electromagnetic stirring(EMS)method were compared and analyzed. The results show that the primary α(Al) particles become more spherical and fine, and disperse uniformly in a liquid matrix with increasing stirring frequency, and higher stirring frequency is advantageous to obtain the fine spherical semi-solid microstructure by AEMS. Compared with the microstructures obtained at stirring frequency of 50 Hz in EMS, the fine spherical and uniformly distributed semi-solid microstructures can be still obtained at stirring frequency of 50 Hz in AEMS, so stirring frequency of 50 Hz is recommended in AEMS to save investment cost on frequency-conversion facilities.

COMPUTER SIMULATION OF CONTINUOUS ELECTROMAGNETIC STIRRING FOR MAKING RHEOLOGIC SEMI-SOLID SLURRY OF ZL112Y ALUMINUM ALLOY

To realize the technology of fabricating the rheologic semi-solid slurry of ZL112Y aluminum alloy via continues electromagnetic stirring process, ANSYS software was used to simulate electromagnetic force field and fluid velocity field in the alloy melt in a crucible tube in three coils. In the first section of the paper, eletromagnetic force field and fluid velocity field caused by single coil were simulated. The result of this simulation gives an average velocity of 3.2 cm/s and it is called critical velocity because a fluid velocity over it will cause a fine and spherical structure of solid primary a in a semi-solid melt. And, from this result, a reasonable temperature of semi-solid of the alloy and an electrical current intensity were established. The electrical current intensity of the result of this simulation corresponded to the current intensity used in a practice experiment, in which the primary α was obviously refined and sphericized. Based on this simulation of single coil electromagnetic stirring, in the second section of the paper, eletromagnetic force field and fluid velocity field caused by three coils were simulated. The result of the simulation shows that, 1） there is a semi-solid zone of 32 mm from bottom of the crucible tube to the upper; 2） the electrical current intensities of three coils of 400 A, 600 A, and 400 A, which were set to top range, middle range and bottom range of the tube, respectively, were the optimum parameters of electromagnetic current intensity under the condition of this investigation; and 3） under effect of these electromagnetic current intensity, the fluid velocities of the melt in the tube were 6.3 cm/s in top range, 3.75 cm/s in middle range, and 3.9 cm/s in bottom range of it, respectively.

Study on Semi-solid Rheocasting Forming for Magnesium Alloy by Mechanical Stirring

In this paper the effect of pouring temperature of magnesium melt, preheating temperature of the barrel of screw mixer and shear rate on the solidified microstructures of semi-solid slurry was investigated by mechanical stirring method. The appropriate processing parameters of slurry preparation were obtained. The mold filling for thin walled casting was examined. Results indicated that the solid volume fraction of non-dendritic structure increased with decrease in pouring temperature of magnesium melt and the barrel preheating temperature of screw mixer. Also the grain size of primary α phase was reduced. Furthermore, the solid volume fraction of semi-solid non-dendritic structure decreased with the increase in shear rate. In the same time, grain size of primary α phase slightly changed. The fine-round granular solidified structure with 30～50 μm of prepared AZ91D magnesium semi-solid slurry was presented. Finally, it is successful to fabricate 1.0 mm extremely thin walled casting with clear contour and good soundness.

Effect of Hot Extrusion on Microstructure and Properties of (ABOw+SiCp)/6061Al Composites Fabricated by Semi-solid Stirring Technique

6061Al matrix composites reinforced by 5vol.%ABOw and 15vol.%SiCp were fabricated by semi-solid stirring technique successfully at 640 ℃ for 40min with the stirring rate of 300 rpm,and the composites were extruded at a temperature of 500 ℃ using an extrusion ratio of 25:1 subsequently.Tensile tests were performed on as-casted and as-extruded(ABOw+SiCp)/6061Al composites at room temperature,and microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM).SEM investigation showed that the as-extruded composite exhibited reduced porosity as well as a more uniform distribution of the reinforcements compared with the as-casted composite.The tensile tests results showed that the ultimate tensile strength and tensile elongation of as-extruded composite are higher than that of as-casted composite.

Performance of Semi-solid Slurry Produced by Twin-screw Stirring Mixer and Rheo-diecasting Process of AZ91D Alloy

The microstructure of semi-solid slurry of AZ91D alloy, which was produced by twin-screw stirring mixer under the different parameters, was investigated.Rheoforming by cold chamber die casting process was performed thereafter. The results indicate that with decreasing of the barrel temperature of the mixer and the pouring temperature of molten Mg alloy, the solid fraction of semi-solid slurry increases and the size of non-dendritic grains becomes smaller. While the shear rate increases, the solid fraction of semi-solid slurry decreases. The tensile strength and elongation of metal rheoformed by die casting are higher by about 37% and 44% respectively than those produced by conventional liquid die casting.

Microstructure,mechanical response and fractography of AZ91E/Al_(2)O_(3)_(p) nano composite fabricated by semi solid stir casting method

The present study confers to the fabrication and its characterization of magnesium alloy(AZ91E)based nano composites with nano Al_(2)O_(3) particulate reinforcements.A novel Semi Solid stir casting technique was adopted for the fabrication of the composite.An average particle size of 50 nm was used as reinforcement to disperse in matrix.The effects of change in weight fraction of reinforcements on the distribution of particles,particle–matrix interfacial reactions,physical as well as mechanical properties were reported.The SEM and EDS analysis has shown the uniform distribution of particles in the composite along with the presence of elements.The mechanical properties of reinforced and unreinforced composite were evaluated and presented.Fractography of tensile specimens was also discussed.

Microstructures of AZ91D alloy solidified during electromagnetic stirring

With the help of an electromagnetic stirring device self-made and alloy melt quenching technology, the effect of electromagnetic stirring parameters on the microstructures of semi-solid AZ91D alloy was mainly studied at the stirring frequency of 200 Hz. The experimental results show that when the stirring power rises, the primary α-Mg rosettes in the semi-solid melt will bear stronger man-made temperature fluctuation and the root remelting effect of the dendritic arms is promoted so that the spherical primary α-Mg grains become much more and rounder. If the stirring frequency is 200 Hz, the ideal semi-solid microstructure of AZ91D magnesium alloy can be obtained when the stirring power is increased to 6.0 kW. If the stirring frequency is 200 Hz and the stirring power is 6.0 kW, it is found that the lower cooling rate is favorable for the spherical primary α-Mg grains to be developed during the electromagnetic stirring stage. If the AZ91D magnesium alloy billet prepared during electromagnetic stirring at the stirring frequency of 200 Hz and the stirring power of 6.0 kW is reheated to the solidus and liquidus temperature region, the primary α-Mg grain’s shape will get more spherical, so it is very advantageous to the semi-solid thixoforming process.

Microstructure of electromagnetic stirred semi-solid AZ91D alloy

The microstructures of semi-solid AZ91D alloy stirred by rotationally electromagnetic field were studied. The shape of primary α-Mg phase is dendrite under conventional solidification condition and the primary α-Mg grains are changed to the fine rosette-like or granular grains under electromagnetic stirring condition. If the electromagnetic stirring frequencies are low, there are a large amount of fine rosette-like primary α-Mg grains and the fine rosette-like primary α-Mg grain in two dimensions belongs to a single grain in three dimensions; there are also many spherical primary α-Mg grains, they may belong to a single grain in three dimensions and the orientation differences of the grains between them are very small. If the electromagnetic stirring frequencies are high, a lot of the fine rosette-like primary α-Mg grains disappear and are converted into granular grains, and moreover, most of these granular grains belong to different grains in three dimensions.

Microstructural formation of semi-solid AZ91D alloy stirred by electromagnetic field

With the help of an electromagnetic stirring device, alloy melt quenching and EBSD （electron back scatter diffraction） analysis technology, the microstructure of the semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy slurry stirred by rotational electromagnetic field under different stirring power conditions has been studied. The results show that the size of primary α-Mg phase is reduced obviously when the solidifying alloy melt is stirred by rotational electromagnetic field, moreover, the primary α-Mg grains are changed to fine rosette grains or spherical grains which are proved to belong to the different grains in three-dimension by the EBSD analysis technology. The results also show that the stirring power is an important processing parameter in the preparation of the semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy slurry. The larger the stirring power, the finer the primary α-Mg grains, the less the rosette primary α-Mg grains, and the more the spherical primary α-Mg grains. Theoretical analysis indicates that a stronger flow motion leads to a more even temperature field and solute field and a stronger man-made temperature fluctuation in the alloy melt so that the specially fine rosette and/or spherical primary α-Mg grains are formed in the semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy slurry.

Experimental and CFD studies of solid-liquid slurry tank stirred with an improved Intermig impeller

The improved Intermig impeller has been used in the seed precipitation tank in China, which could enhance the mixing and suspension of Al(OH)3 particles and the power consumption declined largely. The flow field, solids hold-up, cloud height, just off-bottom speed and power consumptions were investigated in solid-liquid mixing system with this new type of impeller by CFD and water experiment methods. Compared with the standard Intermig impeller, the improved one coupled with specially sloped baffles could promote the fluid circulation, create better solids suspension and consume less power. Besides lower impeller off-bottom clearance is good for solid suspension and distribution. The just-off-bottom speed was also determined by a power number criterion. Meanwhile, the predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental data.

Dynamical coarsening processes of microstructures in non dendritic AlSi_7Mg alloy remelted in semi solid state

The microstructural variation in the non dendritic AlSi 7Mg samples remelted in the semi solid state has been investigated. It is proposed that the primary α Al phases are mainly coarsened by connecting the secondary arms or fine primary α Al phases together at the stage of a small quantity of liquid and slowly coarsened through diffusion at the stage of a great quantity of liquid. The dynamical coarsening equation controlled by diffusion is in good agreement with the equation of d 3- d 3 0= kt and the effect of the starting microstructures on the coarsening of primary α Al phases is gradually decreased when the soaking time is long enough.

Simulation of Solid Suspension in a Stirred Tank Using CFD-DEM Coupled Approach＊

Computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method(CFD-DEM) coupled approach was employed to simulate the solid suspension behavior in a Rushton stirred tank with consideration of transitional and rotational motions of millions of particles with complex interactions with liquid and the rotating impeller. The simulations were satisfactorily validated with experimental data in literature in terms of measured particle velocities in the tank.Influences of operating conditions and physical properties of particles(i.e., particle diameter and density) on the two-phase flow field in the stirred tank involving particle distribution, particle velocity and vortex were studied.The wide distribution of particle angular velocity ranging from 0 to 105r·min 1is revealed. The Magnus force is comparable to the drag force during the particle movement in the tank. The strong particle rotation will generate extra shear force on the particles so that the particle morphology may be affected, especially in the bio-/polymer-product related processes. It can be concluded that the CFD-DEM coupled approach provides a theoretical way to understand the physics of particle movement in micro- to macro-scales in the solid suspension of a stirred tank.

Deformation mechanism of tension of 2024Al alloy at semi-solid state

The mechanism of the tension and fracture of 2024Al alloy at semi solid were theoretically and experimentally investigated, with the isothermal tension of 2024Al alloy at semi solid state as an example. Results of theoretical and experimental analysis show that the tensile deformation of 2024Al alloy at semi solid state is achieved by the relative sliding of grains and the deformation of liquid membrane under tensile stress. The relative sliding of grains is mainly accommodated by the nucleation and growth of cavities under tensile stress. A cavity will nucleate in the region with the largest hydrostatic stress at first and then grow along preferential grain boundaries, leading to the final fracture of specimen along grain boundaries. [