Microstructure and mechanical properties of Co-28Cr-6Mo-0.22C investment castings by current solution treatment

This study examined the impact of current solution treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Co-28Cr-6Mo-0.22C alloy investment castings.The findings reveal that the current solution treatment significantly promotes the dissolution of carbides at a lower temperature.The optimal conditions for solution treatment are determined as a solution temperature of 1,125°C and a holding time of 5.0 min.Under these parameters,the size and volume fraction of precipitated phases in the investment castings are measured as6.2μm and 1.1vol.%.The yield strength,ultimate tensile strength,and total elongation of the Co-28Cr-6Mo-0.22C investment castings are 535 MPa,760 MPa,and 12.6%,respectively.These values exceed those obtained with the conventional solution treatment at 1,200°C for 4.0 h.The findings suggest a phase transformation of M_(23)C_(6)→σ+C following the current solution treatment at 1,125°C for 5.0 min.In comparison,the traditional solution treatment at 1,200°C for 4.0 h leads to the formation of M_(23)C_(6)and M_(6)C carbides.It is noteworthy that the non-thermal effect of the current during the solution treatment modifies the free energy of both the matrix and precipitation phase.This modification lowers the phase transition temperature of the M_(23)C_(6)→σ+C reaction,thereby facilitating the dissolution of carbides.As a result,the current solution treatment approach achieves carbide dissolution at a lower temperature and within a significantly shorter time when compared to the traditional solution treatment methods.

A high-Nb TiAl alloy with highly refined microstructure and excellent mechanical properties fabricated by electromagnetic continuous casting

In the present research, microstructure refinement of a high-Nb TiAl alloy(Ti-48Al-8Nb-0.15B) was realized by means of the electromagnetic continuous casting(EMCC) technique. The microstructure of an ingot obtained by EMCC was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM). As compared with the raw as-cast al oy, the obtained EMCC alloy presented a much finer microstructure with lamellar colonies with a mean size of about 50-70 μm because the electromagnetic stirring broke initial dendrites and enhanced the heterogeneous nucleation. As the grains were refined, the properties of the TiAl alloy were improved significantly. This implies that the EMCC technique could offer the possibility of application for high-Nb TiAl alloys with a refined microstructure and excel ent properties to be used as a structural material.

Evaluation of the microstructure, secondary dendrite arm spacing, and mechanical properties of Al–Si alloy castings made in sand and Fe–Cr slag molds

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast A356（Al–Si） alloy castings were investigated. A356 alloy was cast into three different molds composed of sand, ferrochrome（Fe–Cr） slag, and a mixture of sand and Fe–Cr. A sodium silicate–CO_2 process was used to make the necessary molds. Cylindrical-shaped castings were prepared. Cast products with no porosity and a good surface finish were achieved in all of the molds. These castings were evaluated for their metallography, secondary dendrite arm spacing（SDAS）, and mechanical properties, including hardness, compression, tensile, and impact properties. Furthermore, the tensile and impact samples were analyzed by fractography. The results show that faster heat transfer in the Fe–Cr slag molds than in either the silica sand or mixed molds led to lower SDAS values with a refined microstructure in the products cast in Fe–Cr slag molds. Consistent and enhanced mechanical properties were observed in the slag mold products than in the castings obtained from either sand or mixed molds. The fracture surface of the slag mold castings shows a dimple fracture morphology with a transgranular fracture nature. However, the fracture surfaces of the sand mold castings display brittle fracture. In conclusion, products cast in Fe–Cr slag molds exhibit an improved surface finish and enhanced mechanical properties compared to those of products cast in sand and mixed molds.

Effect of Ti content on microstructures and mechanical properties of cast Al-2Li-2Cu-0.5Mg alloy

Ti is regarded as one of the promising grain refiners in cast Al-Li-Cu alloys,but few research works have been done on its independent role.In this study,the effect of Ti on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of cast Al-2Li-2Cu-0.5Mg base alloy was investigated.The results revealed that the grains can be prominently refined with the increase of Ti addition.After adding Ti,high density TiB_(2)-Al_(3)Ti composite particles with a low lattice misfit form as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the α-Al matrix.δ’(Al3Li) and T_(1)(Al_(2)CuLi) precipitates that provide enhanced strength are dominated in the alloys after T6 aging treatment.The average size of both δ’ and half-width of δ’-precipitation free zone(PFZ) decreases gradually with the increase of Ti content.This is because the higher binding energy between Ti atoms and vacancies limits the diffusion efficiency of Li atoms,and thus results in a higher ductility.Additionally,no nano-sized Al_(3)Ti or core-shell structure of Al_(3)(Li,Ti) particles are found.The tensile property test results indicate that the Al-2Li-2Cu-0.5Mg alloy achieves optimal properties after aging at 175 °C for 32 h when 0.15wt.% Ti is added.It exhibits a yield strength of 352±5 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 423±6 MPa,and an elongation of(3±0.4)%.These findings are expected to offer a reliable theoretical guidance for the industrial composition design of the Al-Li-Cu series cast alloys.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of NZ30K alloy by semi-continuous direct chill and sand mould casting processes

The Mg-3.0Nd-0.2Zn-0.4Zr (NZ30K) alloys were prepared by direct-chill casting (DCC) and sand mould casting (SMC) processes,respectively and their microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated.The results indicate that casting method plays a remarkable influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast NZ30K alloy.The grain size increases from 35-40μm in the billets made by the DCC to about 100-120μm in the billets by the SMC.The aggregation of Mg12Nd usually found at the triple joints of grain boundaries in the billets prepared by SMC while is not observable from the billets by DCC.The tensile strengths and elongations of the billets are 195.2 MPa and 15.5% by DCC,and 162.5 MPa and 3.2% by SMC,respectively.The tensile strength of the alloy by DCC is remarkably enhanced by T6 heat treatment,which reached 308.5 MPa.Fracture surfaces of NZ30K alloy have been characterized as intergranular fracture by SMC and quasi-cleavage fracture by DCC,respectively.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of BFe10 cupronickel alloy tubes fabricated by a horizontal continuous casting with heating-cooling combined mold technology

A new horizontal continuous casting method with heating-cooling combined mold （HCCM） technology was explored for fabri- cating high-quality thin-wall cupronickel alloy tubes used for heat exchange pipes. The microstructure and mechanical properties of BFe 10 cupronickel alloy tubes fabricated by HCCM and traditional continuous casting （cooling mold casting） were comparatively investigated. The results show that the tube fabricated by HCCM has smooth internal and external surfaces without any defects, and its internal and external surface roughnesses are 0.64 μm and 0.85 μm, respectively. The tube could be used for subsequent cold processing without other treatments such as surface planning, milling and acid-washing. This indicates that HCCM can effectively reduce the process flow and improve the pro- duction efficiency of a BFel0 cupronickel alloy tube. The tube has columnar grains along its axial direction with a major casting texture of {012}〈 621 〉. Compared with cooling mold casting （6 = 36.5%）, HCCM can improve elongation （3 = 46.3%） by 10% with a slight loss of strength, which indicates that HCCM remarkably improves the cold extension performance of a BFe 10 cupronickel alloy tube.

MICROSTRUCTURE ANALYSIS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Zn-Al ALLOY ROD PRODUCED BY HEATED MOLD CONTINUOUS CASTING

The new technology of continuous casting by heated mold was used to produce directional solidification ZA alloy lines to eliminate the inter defects of these lines and increase their mechanical properties. The results are as follows: (1) The microstruc-ture of the ZA alloy lines is the parallel directional dendritic columnar crystal. Every dendritic crystal of eutectic alloy ZA5 was composed of many layer eutectic β and η phases. The micro structure of hypereutectic ZA alloys is primary dendritic crystal and interdendritic eutectic structure. The primary phase of ZA8 and ZA12 is β, among them, but the primary phase of ZA22 and ZA27 is a. (2) Through the test to the as-cast ZA alloy lines made in continuous casting by heated mold, it is found that the tensile strength and hardness increase greatly, but the elongation decreases. With the increase of aluminum amount from ZA 5 to ZA 12, ZA22 and ZA27, the tensile strength increases gradually. ZA27 has the best comprehensive mechanical properties in these four kinds of ZA alloys. (3) Heat treatment can decrease the dendritic segregation and improve the elongation of ZA alloy, but make their strength decrease slightly.

Effects of high-pressure rheo-squeeze casting on the Fe-rich phases and mechanical properties of Al-17Si-(1,1.5)Fe alloys

The effects of high pressure rheo-squeeze casting(HPRC) on the Fe-rich phases(FRPs) and mechanical properties of Al-17 Si-(1,1.5)Fe alloys were investigated. The alloy melts were first treated by ultrasonic vibration(UV) and then formed by high-pressure squeeze casting(HPSC). The FRPs in the as-cast HPSC Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloys only contained a long, needle-shaped β-Al5 Fe Si phase at 0 MPa. In addition to the β-Al5 Fe Si phase, the HPSC Al-17 Si-1.5 Fe alloy also contained the plate-shaped δ-Al4 Fe Si2 phase. A fine, block-shaped δ-Al4 Fe Si2 phase was formed in the Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloy treated by UV. The size of FRPs decreased with increasing pressure. After UV treatment, solidification under pressure led to further refinement of the FRPs. Considering alloy samples of the same composition, the ultimate tensile strength(UTS) of the HPRC samples was higher than that of the HPSC samples, and the UTS increased with increasing pressure. The UTS of the Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloy formed by HPSC exceeded that of the Al-17 Si-1.5 Fe alloy formed in the same manner under the same pressure. Conversely, the UTS of the Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloy formed by HPRC decreased to a value lower than that of the Al-17 Si-1.5 Fe alloy formed in the same manner.

Microstructural evolution and enhanced mechanical properties of Mg?Gd?Y?Zn?Zr alloy via centrifugal casting, ring-rolling and aging

A ring-shaped Mg?8.5 Gd?4 Y?1 Zn?0.4 Zr(wt%) alloy was manufactured via centrifugal casting and ring-rolling process. The effects of accumulative ring-rolling reduction amount on the microstructure, texture, and tensile properties of the alloy were investigated. The results indicate that the microstructure of centrifugal cast alloy consists of equiaxed grains and network-like eutectic structure present at grain boundaries. The ring-rolled alloy exhibits a characteristic bimodal microstructure composed of fine dynamic recrystallized(DRXed) grains with weak basal texture and coarse un-DRXed grains with strong basal texture, along with the presence of LPSO phase. With increasing amount of accumulative ring-rolling reduction, the coarse un-DRXed grains are refined via the formation of increasing amount of fine DRXed grains. Meanwhile, the dynamic precipitation of Mg5 RE phase occurs, generating a dispersion strengthening effect. A superior combination of strength and ductility is achieved in the ring-rolled alloy after an accumulative rolling reduction of 80%. The tensile strength of this ring-rolled alloy after peak aging is further enhanced, reaching 511 MPa, while keeping a reasonable ductility. The salient strengthening mechanisms identified include the grain boundary strengthening of fine DRXed grains, dispersion strengthening of dynamic precipitated Mg;RE phase, short fiber strengthening of LPSO lamellae/rods, and precipitation strengthening of nano-sized prismatic β precipitates and basal γ precipitates.

Re-evaluation of the mechanical properties and creep resistance of commercial magnesium die-casting alloy AE44

This paper presents a re-evaluation of the room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep resistance of magnesium die-casting alloy AE44(Mg-4Al-4RE)in light of the influence of minor Mn addition.It is shown that the Mn-containing AE44 exhibits distinct age hardening response upon direct ageing(T5)due to the precipitation of nanoscale Al-Mn particles,as reported previously in a similar alloy.The T5 ageing leads to a significant improvement in strength with similar ductility.Consequently,the T5-aged AE44 has a remarkably better strength-ductility combination than most Mg die-casting alloys and even the Al die-casting alloy A380.Minor Mn addition is also shown to be critical for the creep resistance of AE44 whereas the influence of the RE constituent is not as significant as previously thought,which reaffirms that precipitation hardening of theα-Mg matrix is more important than grain boundary reinforcement by intermetallic phases for the creep resistance of die-cast Mg alloys.The findings in this work could provide new application perspectives for AE44,particularly in the automotive industry.

Effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-8Gd-3Y-0.5Zr(wt.%)alloy fabricated by semi-continuous casting

The microstucture,mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of semi-continuous cast Mg-8Gd-3Y-0.5Zr(wt.%,GW83K) alloy after different heat treatments were investigated.Almost all the eutectic compounds were dissolved into the matrix and there was no evident grain growth after optimum solution treatment at 500 ℃for 4h.Further ageing at low temperatures led to significant precipitation hardening,which strengthened the alloy.Peak-aged at 200 ℃,the alloy had the highest ultimate tensile strength(UTS) and lowest elongation at 395 MPa and 2.8%,respectively.When aged at 225 ℃ for 15 h,the alloy exhibited prominent mechanical performance with UTS and elongation of 363 MPa and 5.8%,respectively.With regard to microstructure and tensile properties,the processes of 500 ℃,4h+225℃,15 h are selected as the optimal heat treatment conditions.The alloy under different conditions shows different fracture behaviors:in the as-cast alloy,a quasi-cleavage pattern is observed;after solution treatment,the alloy exhibits a trans-granular quasi-cleavage fracture;after being peak-aged at 200 ℃ and 225 ℃,the fracture mode is a mixed mode of trans-granular and intergranular fracture,in which the inter-granular mode is dominant in the alloy peak-aged at 200 ℃.

Effects of cooling rate on microstructure and mechanical properties of A357 alloy during differential pressure casting process

The microstructure and mechanical properties of A357 alloy under differential pressure casting process with different casting mould materials were studied. The results show that by using SiO2 resin sand the grain size is biggest and the tensile and elongation are the lowest, while the grain size is the smallest and the tensile strength and elongation are the highest when the chill is used, and the grain size, tensile strength and elongation of A357 alloy with SiC resin sand mould are in the middle. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate that for thin wall castings during differential pressure casting processes the grain size, tensile strength and elongation are different at different positions corresponding to the same casting mould material, while at the position of gating the grain size is the smallest and the tensile strength and elongation have the highest values. At the position of edge the grain size, the tensile strength and elongation take the second place. However, in the middle of the thin wall castings the grain size is coarsest and the tensile strength and elongation are the lowest.

Structure and mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy billets by different hot-top semi-continuous casting technology

AZ31 alloy billets of 200 mm in diameter were produced by three different processes of conventional direct chill （DC） casting, low-frequency electromagnetic casting （LFEC） and low-frequency electromagnetic vibration casting （LFEVC）, respectively. The effect of LFEC and LFEVC on the microstructures, macmsegregation and mechanical properties of AZ31 alloy billets was investigated. In conventional DC casting, the AZ31 alloy billets exhibited coarse grains （about 370 μa） and severe segregation of A1 and Zn. In the presence of a solo low-frequency alternating magnetic field or a low-frequency electromagnetic vibration field applied during DC casting of Ф200 mm AZ31 billets, grains in the AZ31 alloy billets were effectively reffmed （about 210 μa） and the macrosegregation of A1 and Zn in the billets was greatly decreased. Furthermore, the tensile strength, fracture elongation and hardness of the as-cast AZ31 alloy billets were improved by the processes of LFEC and LFEVC relative to that cast by the process of conventional DC casting.

Effect of pressure on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-based alloy prepared by squeeze casting

A new high-strength aluminum alloy with better fluidity than that of ZL205A was developed. The effect of applied pressure during squeeze casting on microstructures and properties of the alloy was studied. The results show that the fluidity of the alloy is 16% and 21% higher than that of ZL205A at the pouring temperature of 993 K and 1 013 K, respectively. Compared with permanent-mold casting, mechanical properties of the alloy prepared by squeeze casting are much higher. The tensile strength and elongation of the alloy are 520 MPa and 7.9% in squeeze casting under an applied pressure of 75 MPa, followed by solution treatment at 763 K for 1 h and at 773 K for 8 h, quenching in water at normal temperature and aging at 463 K for 5 h. The improvement of mechanical properties is attributed to the remarkable decreasing of the secondary dendrite arm spacing(SDAS) and eliminating of micro-porosity in the alloy caused by applied pressure.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium alloy prepared by lost foam casting

The microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy prepared by lost foam casting（LFC） and various heat treatments have been investigated. The microstructure of the AZ91 alloy via LFC consists of dominant α-Mg and β-Mg17Al12 as well as a new phase Al32Mn25 with size of about 550 μm, which has not been detected in AZ91 alloy prepared by other casting processes. The tests demonstrate that the as-cast mechanical properties are higher than those of sand gravity casting because of chilling and cushioning effect of foam pattern during the mould filling. The solution kinetics and the aging processes at different temperatures were also investigated by hardness and electrical resistivity measurements. The kinetics of aging are faster at the high temperature due to enhanced diffusion of atoms in the matrix, so the hardness peak at 380 ℃ occurs after 10 h; while at the lower aging temperature（150 ℃）, the peak is not reached in the time（24 h） considered.

Effects of electromagnetic stirring on microstructure and mechanical properties of super light Mg-Li-Al-Zn alloy

Effects of electromagnetic stirring on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the magnesium-lithium-aluminum alloy were studied.The results reveal that,the morphology of theαphase changes from the long block to globular structure andβ phase distributes more widely in the periphery ofαphase when the electromagnetic stirring voltage is higher than 110 V.The mechanical properties are increased significantly with the increasing electromagnetic stirring.The tensile strength is improved from 172 to 195 MPa,and the elongation is increased from 10.65%to 25.75%.

Structural and mechanical properties of 7075 alloy strips fabricated by roll-casting in a static magnetic field

The influences of a 0.2 T static magnetic field on the microstructure of 7075 aluminum alloys sheets produced with a twin-roll continuous caster at 675℃ were investigated in this paper. Under a uniform magnetic field, the primary dendrites were refined and tended to be equiaxed. The microstructure consisted of an intermediate case between dendritic and equiaxed grains. Moreover, the use of an external static field in the twin-roll casting process can reduce heat discharge, resulting in a decrease in undercooling, and may also account for the abatement of segregation bands. In addition, the static magnetic field effectively improved the solute mixing capacity, and the added atoms more easily diffused from precipitates to theα-Al matrix, which resulted in an increase in the mechanical properties of the rolled sheets. Specimens prepared both in the presence of a static magnetic field and in the absence of a static magnetic field exhibited brittle-fracture characteristics.

Effect of casting methods on microstructure and mechanical properties of ZM5 space flight magnesium alloy

The counter-gravity casting methods have been developed to remove the casting defects of Mg based alloys. However, the effects of different counter-gravity casting methods on the microstructure and mechanical properties have not been studied in detail. ZM5 alloys were prepared by gravity casting, low-pressure casting and counter-pressure casting, respectively. The mechanical properties, microstructure and fracture morphologies were examined and compared by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy methods and tensile testing. Results show that casting defects such as gas pore, shrinkage porosity and cavity can be eliminated by counter-pressure casting. The grain size of α-Mg is decreased significantly by counterpressure casting. Moreover, the precipitated particles are more uniform and finer in the counter-pressure casting sample. As a result, the mechanical properties of the alloys are greatly improved. The tensile strength and elongation of the samples by counter-pressure casting are 285 MPa and 13.9%, respectively, which are much higher than those of the low pressure casting and gravity casting.

Role of heat treatment in the improvement of mechanical properties of a high-quality Al-11Si-1.5Cu-0.3Mg casting alloy

The purpose of this study is to prepare a high-quality Al-11Si-1.5Cu-0.3Mg casting alloy with a good combination of strength and ductility. The microstructures of as-cast alloy were tailored by employing combined additives of Al-3wt.%B refi ner, Al-10 wt.%Sr modifi er and trace addition of La element. By using OM and SEM, the characteristics of the morphologies of eutectic Si particles and the fracture surfaces of the alloys after solution treatment and aging treatment were measured. The mechanical properties of the alloys after single-step or twostep solution treatment were investigated by tensile testing, and the quality of casting samples were evaluated by quality index, Q. The results indicate that the alloy with substantially modifi ed microstructures displays an improvement in mechanical properties of 270 MPa in ultimate tensile strength and 6% in elongation. After an optimized two-step solution treatment of 490℃/4h + 505℃/4h, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation can reach 346 MPa and 10%, respectively. Under the aging condition, the elongation maintains a relative high value of 5% together with the strength of about 400 MPa, which is the outstanding combination of strength and ductility.

Grain refinement and mechanical properties improvement of casting A357 alloy by high pressure differential pressure casting process

By using conventional differential pressure casting process and high pressure differential pressure casting process respectively, Al-Si-Mg system A357 alloy castings were produced. The results show that compared with the conventional differential pressure casting process, the high pressure differential pressure casting process can further refine grain and improve the tensile strength and elongation of as-cast and heat treated A357 alloy. For as-cast A357 alloy with SiO2 resin sand mould, the increasing scales exceed 6% and 50%, respectively. After heat treatment, the increasing scales exceed 15% and 50% respectively. For as-cast A357 alloy with SiO2-Fe chill mould, the increasing scales exceed 6% and 17% respectively. After heat treatment, the increasing scales exceed 7% and 23% respectively. But the increasing scale depends on the cooling rate of casting. With the increase of the cooling rate, the increasing scale decreases.