Effect of electromagnetic field on microstructure and macrosegregation of flat ingot of 2524 aluminium alloy

Low frequency electromagnetic casting （LFEC） process with the application of an induction coil outside the conventional direct chill （DC） casting mould was used to prepare the flat ingot of 2524 alloy and the effect of electromagnetic field on the microstructure and macrosegregation of this alloy was systematically studied. The results show that the fiat ingot prepared by the LFEC process has a finer and more uniform as-cast microstructure and the grain morphology is transformed from dendrite and rosette-like to equiaxed structure. The LFEC process also shows a significant effect on macrosegregation, and with the application of electromagnetic field during casting process, the segregation in the centre of the ingot is obviously reduced. The mechanism of these effects was also discussed.

Solidification microstructures of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys prepared by spraydeposition and conventional casting methods

High strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys were prepared by spray deposition and casting techniques. The microstructures of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys were studied using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Secondary phases in the microstructures of the alloys prepared by spray deposition and conventional cast were examined. The results indicate that under the conventional casting condition, the microstructure of the alloy revealed the presence of coarse Al/Mg（ZnCu）2 eutectic phases, and the spray deposited process causes an obvious modification in size, morphology, and distribution of secondary phases in the microstructure as well as reduction of segregation. The superior microstructure of the spray-deposited Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was attributed to the high cooling rate, and associated with the rapid solidification process.

Effect of electromagnetic and ultrasonic cast rolling on microstructure and properties of 1050 aluminum substrate for presensitized plate

The 1050 aluminum alloy strip was prepared by means of electromagnetic and ultrasonic cast rolling on the modified asymmetric twin roll caster, and then the aluminum substrate for presensitized plate was prepared through cold rolling and annealing.The effects of electromagnetic and ultrasonic cast rolling on microstructure, mechanical properties, surface roughness and electrolytic corrosion properties of 1050 aluminum substrate were studied. The results show that electromagnetic and ultrasonic cast rolling can decrease the average crystallite size of aluminum substrate by 5 μm, increase the crystal boundaries with uniform distribution, and make the second-phase particles with smaller size distributed dispersively in the substrate, meanwhile, it can increase the tensile strength, elongation and micro-hardness by 4.58%, 9.85% and HV 2, respectively, reduce the surface roughness, make the surface appearance more even, electrolytic corrosion polarization curve of aluminum substrate more smooth and the surface corrosion pits with regular shape more dispersive.

Effect of Ablation Casting on Microstructure and Casting Properties of A356 Aluminium Casting Alloy

Recently the Ablation Casting Technology was invented as a new casting process to improve foundry products quality. In this study, the effects of processing variables on the porosity content, rnicrostructure and feedability of A356 casting alloy were investigated. Secondary dendrite arm spacing （SDAS） and eutectic silicon mor-phologies were studied to evaluate the influence of Ablation Casting on the rnicrostructure. Casting density was measured in order to identify porosity content and feedability of ablated and non-ablated specimens. In addition, solidification behavior of the samples was investigated by using thermal analysis technique. The cooling curves and the first derivative curves were plotted and compared with each other. Results showed the ablation process could increase solidification rate significantly. In addition, the microstructural evidences revealed that Ablation Casting process results in more fine and homogeneous structure compared to the non-ablated casting. The feedability improved, SDAS reduced to 35% and porosity content decreased to 3.84 vol.% by implementing this process. It concluded the Ablation Casting is an effective process to gain higher quality in aluminum foundry.

Influence of Process Parameters and Sr Addition on the Microstructure and Casting Defects of LPDC A356 Alloy for Engine Blocks

The effects of Sr addition and pressure increase on the microstructure and casting defects of a low-pressure die cast （LPDC） AISi7Mg0.3 alloy have been studied. Metallographic and image analysis techniques have been used to quantitatively examine the microstructural changes and the amount of porosity occurring at different Sr levels and pressure parameters. The results indicate that an increase in the filling pressure induces lower heat dissipation of the liquid close to the die/core surfaces, with the formation of slightly greater dendrite arms and coarser eutectic Si particles. On the other hand, the increase in the Sr level leads to finer microstructural scale and eutectic Si. The analysed variables, within the experimental conditions, do not affect the morphology of eutectic Si particles. Higher applied pressure and Sr content generate castings with lower amount of porosiW. However, as the filling pressure increases the flow of metal inside the die cavity is more turbulent, leading to the formation of oxide films and cold shots. In the analysed range of experimental conditions, the design of experiment methodology and the analysis of variance have been used to develop statistical models that accurately predict the average size of secondary dendrite arm spacing and the amount of porosity in the low-pressure die cast AISiTMg0.3 alloy.

Evolution of microstructures and intermetallic compounds at bonding interface in friction stir welding of dissimilar Al/Mg alloys with/without ultrasonic assistance

Complete understanding of the evolution behaviors of the microstructures and intermetallic compounds(IMCs)along the interface materials flow path in friction stir welding(FSW)of dissimilar Al to Mg alloys is of great significance.In this study,conventional FSW and ultrasonic vibration enhanced FSW(UVeFSW)experiments of Al/Mg alloys were performed,and the instantaneous evolution features of the interface materials around the tool were"frozen"by using the"sudden stop"and simultaneous cooling techniques.The microstructures and IMCs formation at different locations around the exit hole were observed and characterized by scanning electron microscope,energy dispersive spectrometer and transmission elec-tron microscope.It was found that before the materials started to deposit near the back of the tool,“IMC+Mg+IMC+Al”multilayer microstructure and simple IMC layer with(β+γ)sequentially emerged on the Al/Mg interface.With the application of ultrasonic vibration,the multi-layered interface structure only appeared at the middle stage of materials flow around the pin,and ultrasonic vibration just began to play a suppression role on the growth of two sub-layers IMC at a position where the materials deposit.With assistance of ultrasonic vibration in UVeFSW,the tool drove a larger volume of Mg alloy to move toward the retreating side,and the final IMCs thickness was thinner than that in FSW.

Effect of high-intensity ultrasonic field on process of semi-continuous casting for AZ80 magnesium alloy billets

Under the high-intensity ultrasonic field,AZ80 magnesium alloy was semi-continuously cast.The effects of ultrasonic intensity on the as-cast microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated.The results show that the microstructures of the alloy cast under high-intensity ultrasonic field are fine and uniform,and the grains are equiaxed,rose-shaped or globular with an average size of 257μm.High-intensity field significantly decreases the grain size,changes the morphologies of theβ-Mg17Al12 phases and reduces their area fraction.It is also shown that a proper increase in ultrasonic intensity is helpful to obtain fine,uniform and equiaxed as-cast microstructures.The optimum ultrasonic parameters are that frequency is 20 kHz and ultrasonic intensity is 1 368 W.The mechanical tests show that the mechanical properties of the as-cast AZ80 magnesium alloy billets cast under ultrasonic field are greatly improved,and with increasing the ultrasonic intensity,the mechanical properties of the entire alloy billets are much higher and more uniform than those of the alloy without ultrasonic field.

Impact of ultrasonic power on liquid fraction,microstructure and physical characteristics of A356 alloy molded through cooling slope

This study involves A356 alloy molded through ultrasonically vibrated cooling slope.The slope alongside ultrasonic power enables indispensable shear for engendering slurry from which the semisolid cast/heat treated billets got produced.An examination demonstrates ultrasonically vibrated cooling slope influencing the liquid fraction/microstructure/physical characteristics of stated billets.The investigation encompasses five diverse ultrasonic powers(0,75,150,200,250 W).The ultrasonic power of 150 W delivers finest/rounded microstructure with enhanced physical characteristics.Microstructural modifications reason physical transformations because of grain refinement and grain boundary/Hall-Petch strengthening.A smaller grain size reasons a higher strength/shape factor and an increased homogeneity reasons a higher ductility.Microstructural characteristics get improved by reheating.It is owing to coalescence throughout temperature homogenization.The physical characteristics is improved by reheating because of a reduced porosity and enhanced dissolution besides augmented homogeneity.A direct comparison remains impossible owing to unavailability of researches on ultrasonically vibrated cooling slope.

Study of the Coarse Blocky Compounds in the As－cast 7075 Aluminium Alloys Containing Rare Earth Elements

The coarse blocky compounds in the as-cast 7075 aluminium alloys containing rare earth elements, neodymium, cerium or mischmetal were investigated by means of transmission electron microscope with EDX and scanning electron microscope. The blocky compounds in these alloys were identified as rare earth compounds, (Cr, Ti)2 RE (Al, X)20 (X is magnesium, copper and zinc),body-centred cubic, with 184 atoms to the unit cell , lattice parameter 1.453￣1. 458 nm, Vickers hardness 4000￣5600 MPa and calculated density 3400 kg/m3. The results show that the amount of blocky compounds in the alloys decreases with decreasing of Ti and Cr content or with increasing of cooling rate during solidification.

Effect of external forces on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of high pressure die cast AA5754 alloy

The effects of ultrasonic treatment （UT） and electromagnetic stirring （EMS） forces, individually and in combination, prior to high pressure die-casting of AA5754 alloy were assessed. The liquid of alloy was subjected to UT, EMS and the combined style and then transferred to the shot chamber. The grain size, mechanical properties, gas content and hot tearing susceptibility were analyzed. The results suggest that the application of each process enhances grain refinement and decreases the porosity of the specimens. UT reduces the grain size from 140 to 82 μm and decreases the porosity from 5.5% to 1.4%. EMS reduces the grain size to 107 μm and the porosity to 3.3%. The combination of UT and EMS decreases the grain size and the porosity to 65 μm and 1.1%, respectively, which are the lowest grain size and porosity ever reported for this alloy achieved via physical processing. Intensive cavitation and stirring not only resulted in a refined microstructure but also significantly decreased the hot tearing susceptibility and improved the mechanical properties. All of the aforementioned characteristics are due to cavity formation, during each process. By combination of techniques, EMS could promote the nucleation process by providing more exogenous particles in the strong cavitation field of UT. Ultrasonic plays a major role in grain refining, decreasing the hot tearing susceptibility and the gas content by introducing a strong cavitation field.

Grain refinement of gravity die cast secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg alloys for automotive cylinder heads

The effects of AITi5B1 grain refinement and cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg alloy were reported. Metallographic and image analysis techniques have been used to quantitatively examine the macrostructural and microstructural changes occurring with the addition of grain-refining agent at different cooling rates by using a step casting die. The results indicate that the addition of AlTi5B1 produces a fine and uniform grain structure throughout the casting and this effect is more pronounced in the slowly solidified regions. Increasing the cooling rate, lower amount of grain refiner is necessary to produce a uniform grain size throughout the casting. On the other hand, the initial contents of Ti and B, present as impurity elements in the supplied secondary alloy, are not sufficient to produce an effective grain refinement. The results from the step casting geometry were applied to investigate a gasoline 16V cylinder head, which was produced by gravity semi-permanent mould technology. The grain refinement improves the plastic behaviour of the alloy and increases the reliability of the casting, as evidenced by the Weibull statistics.

压铸冷却速度对汽车用铝合金组织和力学性能的影响

主要研究了铸造冷却速度对A380和A383铝合金高压压铸过程中凝固行为的影响。设计了三种不同冷却速度的圆柱模具和三步充型压铸模具,并进行了高压压铸试验。对比了圆柱铸件与三步充型高压铸件的微观组织,分析了冷却速度对压铸铝合金枝晶臂间距等凝固特性及合金的力学性能的影响。结果表明,在高压压铸过程中,枝晶臂间距与冷却速度呈较强的正相关,合金的力学性能与冷却速度与合金的枝晶臂间距同样有着正相关,但随着冷却速度的逐渐增加,合金的力学性能增长幅度逐渐降低。

超声与氩气冷却对2219铝合金组织及偏析的影响

2219铝合金作为一种广泛应用于航天、汽车制造等领域的重要合金,其在一般重力铸造条件下生产的铸锭容易出现孔缩、第二相聚集、宏观偏析等问题。本研究在高纯气氛保护条件下,采用超声辅助处理熔体与氩气冷却相结合的方法制备了2219铝合金铸锭。通过光谱仪、光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等手段研究了超声波、氩气冷却对改善2219铝合金凝固组织及宏观偏析的影响。结果表明,在高纯气氛保护下,超声作用对2219铝合金铸造具有良好的细化晶粒、均匀化第二相的效果,组织内无疏松缩孔缺陷。当超声与氩气冷却共同作用时,铸锭晶粒细化及第二相均匀化效果更佳,平均晶粒尺寸减小69.4%。超声空化效应促进了更多溶质元素在铝熔体中的均匀分布,提高了晶粒形核率,同时在空化破碎与声流的扰动效应作用下,第二相组织更为细小均匀,宏观偏析显著改善。

挤压铸造与超声处理对铸造铝锂合金组织与性能的影响

目的研究挤压铸造与超声处理工艺对铸造铝锂合金组织与性能的影响规律,分析工艺改变对组织细化及性能提升的作用机理,解决传统重力铸造下铝锂合金性能较差的问题。方法将挤压铸造(SC)与超声处理(UT)相结合制备Al-2Li-2Cu-0.5Mg-0.2Zr合金,在熔体超声2min后,以50MPa的挤压力制备合金,探究各工艺对铸造铝锂合金显微组织与力学性能的影响。结果与传统的重力铸造(GC)相比,SC合金的孔隙率和成分偏析显著降低,晶粒尺寸也明显减小,特别是经过UT+SC处理的合金得到了进一步优化。经UT+SC处理后,Al-2Li-2Cu合金的极限抗拉强度(UTS)、屈服强度(YS)和伸长率分别为235MPa、135MPa和15%,与GC合金相比,分别提高了113.6%、28.6%、1150%,与SC合金相比,分别提高了5.4%、3.8%、15.4%。结论UT+SC工艺能明显提升铸造铝锂合金的性能。UT+SC制备的Al-Li合金的强度和伸长率的提高归因于孔隙率的降低、晶粒细化和第二相的均匀分布。将挤压铸造与超声处理相结合制备铸造铝锂合金解决了重力铸造下合金性能较差的问题,为满足航空航天要求的高强韧铸造铝锂合金的制备提供了一种行之有效的新方法。

热挤压工艺对211Z.1铝合金组织和性能的影响

通过对211Z.1铝合金半连续水冷铸造棒热挤压加工后T6热处理,挤压材纵向晶粒被压扁拉长,脆硬相被挤碎,晶界上未固溶相破碎细化,分布均匀。铸造试样平均抗拉强度为476 MPa,挤压试样平均抗拉强度为524 MPa,挤压试样比铸造试样强度高出48 MPa,强度得到一定程度提高。铸造试样和挤压试样在NaCl+H_(2)O_(2)溶液中浸蚀6 h后强度分别下降了38、22 MPa,下降程度分别为7.98%、4.2%,伸长率下降程度分别为37.7%、11.5%,挤压试样力学性能的下降程度小于铸造试样。铸造试样的晶间腐蚀深度约为178μm,挤压试样的腐蚀深度约为85μm,晶间腐蚀等级分别为4级和3级,热挤压工艺提高了211Z.1铝合金抗晶间腐蚀能力。对211Z.1合金材料采用热挤压加工,能够得到综合性能更优的产品。

铝合金超声铸造技术

研究了超声波对铝合金结晶过程的影响，分析了超声波导入方式对合金显微组织的影响，探讨了超声波在铝合金液中的传导距离与显微组织细化的关系。

电磁铸造对2024铝合金力学性能和组织的影响

通过光学显微镜、差热分析仪和透射电子显微镜，对比分析了电磁铸造和连续铸造２０２４铝合金铸态及热处理态的显微组织和力学性能．电磁铸造铝锭的硬度较连续铸造铸锭提高１倍，疲劳性能提高２倍．差热分析曲线显示，电磁铸造试样具有比连续铸造高的热焓，说明其在加热过程中沉淀强化物析出较多。

半固态AlSi7Mg铝合金的连续制备实验与研究

研究了采用电磁搅拌法的连续制备工艺对半固态ＡｌＳｉＭｇ合金棒坯表面质量和微观组织的影响；通过优化实验工艺参数，制备出具有触变性组织的半固态铝合金圆棒，其直径６０－１１０ｍｍ，长１．３－１．６ｍ。

超声对铝合金凝固传热与组织形成的影响与作用机制

分温度区间段对铝合金熔体实施超声波振动,研究不同阶段导入超声对熔体内部能量传递与铸锭组织的影响,并探索各个阶段相应的超声作用机制。研究结果表明:超声波作用于固液相区时产生的结晶体谐振效应促使其冷却速率大幅提高,并有效地细化凝固组织;在高于液相线温度区间,超声热效应使熔体的冷却速率略有降低,在液相中产生的超声空化效应能够扩大过冷区、提高形核率,取得显著的细晶效果,但这种细晶效果将随施振温度的提高而逐渐减弱。空化效应与谐振效应是在铝合金凝固过程不同阶段超声细晶的两个主导机制。

固溶处理对准共晶Al-Si合金显微组织及力学性能的影响

通过金相显微镜、差示扫描量热分析以及显微硬度测试等研究固溶温度和固溶时间对挤压铸造的ZAlSi12CuMgNi铝合金的显微组织和力学性能变化的影响。结果发现:在固溶过程中,强化相逐渐溶解,共晶Si逐渐细化、弥散,块状初晶Si趋于圆整化;保温时间过长,细化后的Si会发生聚集、粗化、长大,块状Si圆整度下降以及α(Al)晶粒长大等现象;随着固溶温度的上升,强化相的溶解和Si相的粒化、圆整化的时间会缩短,且Si相的细化程度和弥散程度更高,而Si相粗化和α(Al)晶粒长大的速度也会增大;在不同固溶温度下,α(Al)固溶体的力学性能随保温时间的延长而呈现不同形式的下降趋势;挤压铸造的ZAlSi12CuMgNi铝合金的最佳固溶处理工艺为525-530℃,保温时间为2.5-3h。