Characterization of A390 aluminum alloy produced at different slow shot speeds using vacuum assisted high pressure die casting

The effects of vacuum assistance on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high pressure die cast A390alloy at different slow shot speeds were evaluated.Plate-shaped specimens of hypereutectic A390aluminum alloy were produced on a TOYO BD?350V5cold chamber die casting machine incorporated with a self-improved TOYO vacuum system.According to the results,the vacuum pressure inside the die cavity increased linearly with the increasing slow shot speed at the beginning of mold filling.Meanwhile,tensile properties of vacuum die castings were deteriorated by the porosity content.In addition,the average primary silicon size decreased from23to14μm when the slow shot speed increased from0.05to0.2m/s,which has a binary functional relationship with the slow shot speed.After heat treatment,microstructural morphologies revealed that needle-shaped and thin-flaked eutectic silicon particles became rounded while Al2Cu dissolved intoα(Al)matrix.Furthermore,the fractography revealed that the fracture mechanism has evolved from brittle transgranular fracture to a fracture mode with many dimples after heat treatment.

Semi-solid near-net shape rheocasting of heat treatable wrought aluminum alloys

Flexibility of the CSIR-RCS, induction stirring with simultaneous air cooling process, in combination with high pressure die casting is successfully demonstrated by semi-solid rheocasting of plates performed on commercial 2024, 6082 and 7075 wrought aluminum alloys. Tensile properties were measured for the above mentioned rheocast wrought aluminum alloys in the T6 condition. The results showed that tensile properties were close to or even in some cases exceeded the minimum specifications. The yield strength and elongation of rheocast 2024-T6 exceeded the minimum requirements of the wrought alloy in the T6 condition but the ultimate tensile strength achieved only 90% of the specification because the Mg content of the starting alloy was below the commercial alloy specification. The strengths of rheocast 6082-T6 exceeded all of the wrought alloy T6 strength targets but the elongation only managed 36% of the required minimum due to porosity, caused by incipient melting during solution heat treatment, and the presence of fine intermetallie needles in the eutectic. The yield strength of rheocast 7075 exceeded the required one and the ultimate tensile strength also managed 97% of the specification; while the elongation only reached 46% of the minimum requirement also due to incipient melting porosity caused during the solution heat treatment process.

Deformation and heat treatment ability of three-layer 6009/7050/6009 Al alloy clad slab prepared by direct-chill casting

Three-layer6009/7050/6009aluminum alloy clad slab was fabricated by an innovative direct-chill casting process.To study the response of the clad slab to plastic deformation and heat treatments,homogenization annealing,hot rolling,solution and aging were successively performed on the as-cast6009/7050/6009clad samples.The results revealed that excellent metallurgical bonding between7050alloy layer and6009alloy layer was achieved under optimal parameters.The clad ratio obviously decreased when the annealed sample was rolled to55%hot reduction level,and then changed slightly with further rolling.Furthermore,the content of rodlike Zn-rich phases increased significantly in7050alloy layer in the homogenized clad samples after rolling at55%,65%and75%hot reduction levels,and the higher level of hot reduction resulted in narrower diffusion layer.Subsequent solution and aging significantly improved the hardness in7050alloy layer,interfaces and6009alloy layers of the rolled samples except for the thin side for the75%hot reduction sample.

Optimization of heat treatment of gravity cast Sr-modified B356 aluminum alloy

In recent years,certain foundry processes have made it possible to obtain products with very thin parts,below the4mmthreshold of the permanent mold casting technology.The safety margins of these castings have been reduced,so the T6heattreatment conditions adopted for the Al?7Si?Mg alloys need to be investigated to identify the best combination of strength andductility.Furthermore,the cost and the production time associated with T6heat treatment have to be optimized.In the present work,an experimental study was carried out to optimize the solution treatment and artificial aging conditions in gravity cast thin bars ofB356aluminum alloy modified with Sr.Two solution temperatures were selected,530°C and550°C,respectively,with solutiontime ranging from2to8h,followed by water quenching and artificial aging at165°C with aging time from2to32h.The results ofhardness and tensile tests were correlated with differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)analysis.The best combination of mechanicalproperties and heat treatment duration was obtained with2h solutionizing at550°C and8h aging at165°C.DSC analysis showedthat the alloy’s mechanical properties reach the maximum value when theβ''phase is completely developed during the artificialaging.

Strengthening technology and mechanism for semi-solid die casting of aluminum alloy

Combined with theoretical evaluation, an optimized strengthening process for the semi-solid die castings of A356 aluminum alloy was obtained by studying the mechanical properties of castings solution treated and aged under different conditions in detail, then, the semi-solid die castings and liquid die castings were heat treated with the optimized process. The results show that the mechanical properties of semi-solid die castings of aluminum alloy are superior to those of the liquid die castings, especially the strengthening degree of heat treated semi-solid die castings is much greater than that of liquid die castings with the tensile strength more than 330 MPa and the elongation more than 10%, and this is mainly contributed to the non-dendritic and more compact microstructure of semi-solid die castings. The strengthening mechanism of heat treatment for the semi-solid die castings of A356 aluminum alloy is due to the dispersive precipitation of the second phase（Mg2Si） and formation of GP Zone.

Synergistic effects of composition and heat treatment on microstructure and properties of vacuum die cast Al-Si-Mg-Mn alloys

The purpose of this study was to prepare high-quality Al-Si-Mg-Mn alloy with a good combination of strength and ductility employing the vacuum-assisted high-pressure die cast process. An orthogonal study of heat treatments was conducted to design an optimized T6 heat treatment process for both Al-10%Si-0.3%Mg-Mn and Al-11%Si-0.6%Mg-Mn alloys. The results demonstrate that no obvious blisters and warpage were observed in these two alloys with solid solution treatment. After the optimal T6 heat treatment of 530°C×3 h + 165°C×6 h, Al-11%Si-0.6%Mg-Mn alloy has better mechanical properties, of which tensile strength, yield strength and elongation reached 377.3 MPa, 307.8 MPa and 9%, respectively. The improvement of mechanical properties can be attributed to the high density of needle-like β″(Mg_5Si_6) precipitation after aging treatment and the fine and spherical eutectic Si particles uniformly distributed in the α-Al matrix.

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 al oy with a good combination of strength and ductility. The microstructures of as-cast al oy were tailored by employing combined additives of Al-3wt.%B reifner, Al-10wt.%Sr modiifer 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 al oys after solution treatment and aging treatment were measured. The mechanical properties of the al oys after single-step or two-step solution treatment were investigated by tensile testing, and the quality of casting samples were evaluated by quality index, Q. The results indicate that the al oy with substantial y modiifed 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 490oC/4h＋505oC/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.

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 magnesium and copper additions on tensile properties of Al-Si-Cr die casting alloy under as-cast and T5 conditions

Aluminum high pressure die casting(HPDC)technology has evolved in the past decades,enabling stronger and larger one-piece casting with significant part consolidation.It also offers a higher design freedom for more mass-efficient thin-walled body structures.For body structures that require excellent ductility and fracture toughness to be joined with steel sheet via self-piercing riveting(for instance,shock towers and hinge pillars,etc.),a costly T7 heat treatment comprising a solution heat treatment at elevated temperatures(450℃-500℃)followed by an over-ageing heat treatment is needed to optimize microstructure for meeting product requirement.To enable cost-efficient mass production of HPDC body structures,it is important to eliminate the expensive T7 heat treatment without sacrificing mechanical properties.Optimizing die cast alloy chemistry is a potential solution to improve fracture toughness and ductility of the HPDC components.The present study intends to tailor the Mg and Cu additions for a new Al-Si-Cr type die casting alloy(registered as A379 with The Aluminum Association,USA)to achieve the desired tensile properties without using T7 heat treatment.It was found that Cu addition should be avoided,as it is not effective in enhancing strength while degrades tensile ductility.Mg addition is very effective in improving strength and has minor impact on tensile ductility.The investigated Al-Si-Cr alloy with a nominal composition of Al-8.5wt.%Si-0.3wt.%Cr-0.2wt.%Fe shows comparable tensile properties with the T7 treated AlSi10MnMg alloy which is currently used for manufacturing shock towers and hinge pillars.

Effects of Mg Enhancement and Heat Treatment on Microstructures and Tensile Properties of Al2Ca-Added ADC12 Die Casting Alloys

The effects of Mg enhancement and heat treatment on the microstructures and tensile properties of Al_2Ca-added ADC12 die casting alloys were investigated. 0.3% and 0.5% Mg in the form of a master alloy including a trace amount of Al_2Ca were added to conventional ADC12（383 and AlSi10Cu2Fe） alloy with an initial Mg-content of 0.3% to increase the Mg content to 0.6% and 0.8%, respectively. To avoid heat treatmentinduced surface blisters, shortened solution treatment for 15 min at 490 ℃ and artificial aging for 6 h at 150 ℃ was undertaken. The results show that a 10% improvement in the shape factor of eutectic Si particles was achieved for Al_2Ca-added ADC12 with 0.8% Mg compared to the conventional ADC12 in the as-aged condition. Al_2Ca-added ADC12 with 0.8% Mg exhibited a yield strength of 289 MPa, a tensile strength of 407 MPa, and an elongation of 4.22%.

Cu含量和热处理工艺对Al-Si-Mg-Mn-xCu铸造铝合金显微组织和力学性能的影响

采用三维X射线显微镜、光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜及硬度测试系统研究Cu含量及热处理工艺对真空压铸Al-Si-Mg-Mn-xCu合金显微组织和力学性能的影响。研究发现,虽然Cu含量增加会提高铸锭中气孔的密度和尺寸,但是Cu添加将促进凝固过程中含Cu初生相(Q-Al_(5)Cu_(2)Mg_(8)Si_(6)和θ-Al_(2)Cu)的形成,从而提高合金性能。合金中形成5种不同结构的初生相,包括共晶Si、α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si、β-Mg_(2)Si、Q-Al_(5)Cu_(2)Mg_(8)Si_(6)和θ-Al_(2)Cu相。随着Cu含量增加,θ相的面积分数迅速增加,α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si相面积分数首先降低,随后缓慢增加,而Q相的变化趋势与α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si相相反。这些初生相在热处理过程中会出现不同的演变规律。在随后的时效处理过程中,Q'和θ'相的协同析出能显著提高合金的时效硬化潜力。

免热处理铝合金的研究现状及展望

铝合金具有密度低、铸造性良好、比强度高和耐腐蚀性好等优点,主要应用于汽车工业及航空航天等领域。近年来,随着新能源汽车行业的快速发展,免热处理铝合金因其能够通过一体化压铸成型复杂构件且免除了后续热处理工艺,成为制备轻质高强、低成本结构件的新型材料。本文总结了免热处理铝合金的研究现状,主要基于Al-Si、Al-Mg系介绍了免热处理铝合金新材料、压铸工艺及其力学性能,并展望了免热处理铝合金的发展趋势。

细化变质对免热处理压铸Al-Zn-Si-Cu合金组织及性能的影响

采用压铸成形工艺制备Al-Zn-Si-Cu合金,研究陶瓷纳米增强颗粒(TiC/TiB_(2))和Al-10Sr变质剂对免热处理压铸Al-Zn-Si-Cu合金力学性能、导热/电性能、显微组织的细化变质效果。结果表明,单独添加0.5%陶瓷纳米颗粒后,与未添加细化剂的合金相比,α-Al相得到明显细化,呈近蔷薇状,纤维状共晶Si相更加致密,短棒状Al_(2)Cu相更加细小,且Zn、Si、Cu元素在基体中含量增加,此时力学性能得到提升,导热/电性能略有下降,主要是由于溶质元素的增加导致晶格发生畸变程度变大,增大电子散射能力的同时减小电子的平均自由程,使得金属的导热和导电能力下降;经0.5%陶瓷纳米颗粒和0.1%Al-10Sr中间合金共同作用后,共晶Si相棱角钝化,基体中溶质元素含量进一步增加,此时合金力学性能达到最佳,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为361 MPa,213 MPa和6.8%,热导率为118.73 W/(m·K)。

热处理对高真空压铸AlSi10MnMg合金拉伸性能的影响

分别对高真空压铸AlSi10MnMg合金进行T5(180℃×2 h)、T6(515℃×1 h空冷+175℃×2 h)和T7(460℃×1 h水冷+175℃×2.5 h)热处理,研究了不同热处理条件下该合金的显微组织和拉伸性能。结果表明:经过T5热处理后的铸态试验合金铝基体相长大,圆整度较高,晶粒尺寸主要集中在20~80μm,硅相仍呈细长状,与铸态试验合金相比,试验合金的抗拉强度提高了8.9%,断后伸长率降低了9.1%;经过T6和T7热处理后,铝基体相形状不规则程度降低,晶粒尺寸分别为2~50,2~30μm,组织更均匀致密,硅相由铸态时的细长状演变为规则的圆形,试验合金的抗拉强度分别降低了26.0%和23.9%,断后伸长率分别提高了54.5%和72.7%;铸态和T5态试验合金的拉伸断裂方式均为韧脆混合断裂,T6和T7态试验合金的断裂方式则以韧性断裂为主,其中T7态试验合金拉伸断口中的韧窝细密且深,塑性更好。

铝合金一体化压铸技术研究进展

铝合金密度小、比强度高,广泛应用于航空航天和汽车领域的轻量化成形制造。一体化压铸技术生产大型复杂薄壁铸件,能有效帮助飞机、汽车减重增程,是重要的一体化成形技术。全面综述铝合金大型一体化压铸技术的发展,分析免热处理铝合金的成分设计与已开发的铝合金特点,介绍了国内外大型一体化压铸机和压铸模具的研制情况,归纳总结了一体化压铸件充型、凝固、缺陷、微观组织、热应力和疲劳寿命预测的数值模拟研究现状,对一体化压铸技术的发展提出展望。

热处理对压铸Mg-Zn-Al-Mn合金组织及性能的影响

采用压铸成形工艺制备Mg-Zn-Al-Mn合金,研究不同热处理工艺对压铸Mg-Zn-Al-Mn合金力学性能和显微组织的影响。结果表明,压铸态合金采用直接时效处理时,在190℃下直接时效5 h,合金强度达到峰值,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为236 MPa,149 MPa和7.3%。经过固溶处理后,过饱和固溶度提升,大部分第二相颗粒在固溶过程中溶解进镁基体中,即有更大的第二相脱溶析出驱动力。335℃×4 h+190℃×5 h时合金力学性能达到最佳,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为243 MPa,167 MPa和5.1%。浸泡试验表明,经过T6处理后的合金具有最好的耐浸泡腐蚀性能,电化学试验结果显示,T6处理合金具有最小的腐蚀电流密度和最大的高频阻抗弧半径,表明其具有最优的耐腐蚀性能。

不同Si含量对免热处理强化压铸铝硅合金组织和性能影响的研究

研究了不同Si含量对免热处理强化压铸铝硅合金组织性能影响。结果表明:Al-6%Si合金中的析出相主要沿晶界析出,分布不均匀。其形貌类似杆状,具有尖锐的棱角。随着Si含量提升,析出相所占比重显著上升,并且粒子尺寸增大,同时存有少量未充分溶解的粗大块状初晶硅。在铝硅合金中主要存在两种不同类型的析出相,一种是长针状AlSiFe相,另一种是明亮粗大块状AlSiMnFe相。长针状AlSiFe相具有较高的表面能,能够有足够的空位吸纳Mn原子,从而随着凝固过程进行自发转变为更稳定的块状AlSiMnFe相。在该过程中Mn元素被大量消耗,析出相粒子中的Mn/Fe值下降。随着Si含量的增加,试样的抗拉强度得到了显著提高,但是塑性和抗冲击性能并未协同提升。

Zn 对免热处理铸造铝硅系合金显微组织与力学性能的影响

研究了Zn元素含量分别为0.5wt%、1.0wt%、和1.5wt%时,对Al-Si-Mn-Mg免热处理铸造铝合金的显微组织和力学性能影响。通过变质处理,观察到不同的微观组织。结果表明,随着Zn元素含量的提高,合金的抗拉强度及屈服强度增加,伸长率降低。同时发现,随着Zn元素含量的提升,合金的变质效果出现不同程度的下降。

3种免热处理压铸铝合金对模具钢的侵蚀性研究

通过将模具钢浸入熔融铝合金液中并进行动态旋转熔损试验,研究了3种大型一体压铸用免热处理铝合金材料对2种典型压铸模具钢的侵蚀作用。结果表明:经20 min旋转熔损试验后,1#铝合金液中的模具钢表面侵蚀面积最小、质量损失最小、对模具钢的侵蚀最轻,因此,3种免热处理压铸铝合金中,1#铝合金的粘模倾向最小。应用新型免热处理材料时,应选择与该免热处理材料粘模适配性好的模具材料,以获得最小的侵蚀质量损失,保证模具寿命。

高性能免热处理铝合金HA1-H的特性与一体式压铸实践

HA1-H是自主研发的一款免热处理压铸铝合金,在铸态条件下即可获得优良的综合力学性能,适用于一体式压铸大型薄壁件。本文总结了HA1-H合金的特性,以及压铸生产过程中的问题点及应对措施。