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.

Rheo-squeeze casting of semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry

The effect of pouring temperature, electromagnetic stirring power and holding process on semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry was investigated, then the slurry was squeeze-cast. The results show that when the pouring temperatures are properly above the liquidus line, for example 630-650 ℃, the slurry with spherical primary α（Al） grains can be prepared under the stirring power of 1.27 kW. The slurry is then homogeneously held for a short time, and the primary α（Al） grains are further ripened and distributed evenly in the slurry. The results of the rheo-squeezed casting experiments show that the injection specific pressure has a great effect on the filling ability of the semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry, and the higher the injection specific pressure is, the better the ability for the slurry to fill the mould cavity is. When the injection specific pressure is equal to or above 34 MPa, the whole and compact rheo-squeezed castings can be obtained. The microstructure of the castings indicates that the shape, size and numbers of the primary α（Al） grains in different parts of the castings are highly consistent. After being held at 535 ℃ for 5 h and then aged at 155 ℃ for 12 h, the ultimate strength of the rheo-squeezed castings can reach 300-320 MPa, the yield strength 230-255 MPa, and the elongation 11%-15%.

PREPARATION OF SEMI-SOLID AISi7Mg ALLOY SLURRY

In this article, semi-solid AlSiTMg alloy slurry was prepared by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature and stirring power on the microstructure of the AISiTMg alloy slurry were studied. The results showed that the semi-solid AISiTMg alloy slurry, 127 mm in diameter, could be prepared by using the low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring technology and this new technology could save energy and make the pouring process convenient. When the liquid AISiTMg alloy was poured at 650℃ or 630℃, the solidified micrastructure of the AISiTMg alloy slurry, prepared by weak electromagnetic stirring, was remarkably improved when compared with that of the slurry prepared without stirring. The primary α-Al grains appeared rosette-like or spherical. When the pouring temperature was decreased, the shape of the primary α-Al grains gradually changed from dendritic-like grains to spherical grains. When the pouring temperature was appropriately increased, that is, raised to a certain superheat, the pouring process became easier and an ideal spherical microstructure of the AISiTMg alloy slurry, prepared by weak electromagnetic stirring, could also be obtained. In this experiment, when the stirring power was 0.36 kW, the optimized pouring temperature parameter was 630 ℃. When the AISiTMg alloy slurry was prepared by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring, the pouring temperature was 630℃. Increasing the stirring power appropriately could gain better spherical primary α-Al grains, but if the stirring power was increased to a certain value, the shape of the primary α-Al grains did not improve further. In this experiment, the optimized stirring power parameter was 0.36 kW.