Production of grain-refined AC7A Al-Mg alloy via solidification in ultrasonic field

The objective of the current study was to investigate the use of ultrasonic melt treatment technology in the production of grain-refined billets of the AC7 A alloy, which was intended for subsequent use as a feedstock in forming operations. The experiments included the application of ultrasonic vibrations to the molten alloys via direct and indirect techniques. Several process parameters such as pouring temperatures(several temperatures between 740 and 660℃), and treatment time(from 12 min down to 2 min) were investigated. The experiment included continuous ultrasonic treatment from the liquid to the semisolid states. The results showed that both treatment techniques were viable for producing billets with the desirable microstructural characteristics. The optimum treatment conditions were the short treatment time(2 to 3 min), from about 660℃ down to 615℃ for the indirect treatment technique, and from 660℃ to 635℃ for the direct treatment technique. The resulting microstructures, at three positions along the height of the ingot, were characterized by fine, non-dendritic α(Al) grains in the order of a hundred microns, as compared to few thousands of microns for the conventional cast ingots. The intermetallic particles were also refined in size and modified in morphology by the ultrasonic treatment. The operating mechanisms by which the ultrasonic vibrations altered the ingot microstructures were discussed and analyzed.

Finite element analysis of stress-strain localization and distribution in Al-4.5Cu-2Mg alloy

Finite element analysis has been carried out to understand the effect of various processing routes and condition on the microscale deformation behavior of Al–4.5 Cu–2 Mg alloy. The alloy has been developed through four different routes and condition, i.e. conventional gravity casting with and without refiner, rheocasting and SIMA process. The optical microstructures of the alloy have been used to develop representative volume elements（RVEs）. Two different boundary conditions have been employed to simulate the deformation behavior of the alloy under uniaxial loading. Finally, the simulated stress-strain behavior of the alloy is compared with the experimental result. It is found that the microstructural morphology has a significant impact on stress and strain distribution and load carrying capacity. The eutectic phase always carries a higher load than the α（Al） phase. The globular α（Al） grains with thinner and uniformly distributed eutectic network provide a better stress and strain distribution. Owing to this, SIMA processed alloy has better stress and strain distribution than other processes. Finally, the simulated yield strength of the alloy is verified by experiment and they have great agreement.

基体偏压对磁控溅射类石墨镀层耐蚀性的影响

对铝合金表面非平衡磁控溅射沉积类石墨镀层,采用极化曲线测试和质量损失方法,分析了镀层的耐蚀性;利用扫描电子显微镜对镀层腐蚀前后的微观形貌进行了观察。结果表明,铝合金表面磁控溅射类石墨镀层由铬打底层和碳工作层组成。镀层组织细小,均匀致密,类石墨镀层可以提高铝合金的耐蚀性。随基体负偏压增大,铝合金试样的耐蚀性增加,当基体为-120 V偏压时,铝合金基体的自腐蚀电位由-0.452 V提高到-0.372 V,腐蚀电流由10.62 m A减小到3.67 m A。在Na Cl溶液中进行浸泡试验后,类石墨镀层仅发生了部分点蚀,可很好地保护铝合金基体。

Effects of Solution Treatment on the Microstructure,Tensile Properties,and Impact Toughness of an Al–5.0Mg–3.0Zn–1.0Cu Cast Alloy

This study investigates the eff ect of solution treatment(at 470°C for 0–48 h)on the microstructural evolution,tensile properties,and impact properties of an Al–5.0Mg–3.0Zn–1.0Cu(wt%)alloy prepared by permanent gravity casting.The results show that the as-cast microstructure consists ofα-Al dendrites and a network-like pattern of T-Mg32(AlZnCu)49 phases.Most of the T-phases were dissolved within 24 h at 470℃;and a further prolonging of solution time resulted in a rapid growth ofα-Al grains.No transformation from the T-phase to the S-Al2CuMg phase was discovered in this alloy.Both the tensile properties and impact toughness increased quickly,reached a maximum peak value,and decreased gradually as the solution treatment proceeded.The impact toughness is more closely related to the elongation,and the relationship between impact toughness and elongation appears to obey an equation:IT=8.43 EL-3.46.After optimal solution treatment at 470℃for 24 h,this alloy exhibits excellent mechanical properties with the ultimate tensile strength,yield strength,elongation and impact toughness being 431.6 MPa,270.1 MPa,19.4%and 154.7 kJ/m^(2),which are comparable to that of a wrought Al–6.0 Mg–0.7 Mn alloy(5E06,a 5 xxx aluminum alloy).Due to its excellent comprehensive combination of mechanical properties,this cast alloy has high potential for use in components which require medium strength,high ductility and high toughness.