Effect of Pouring Temperature by a Novel Micro Fused-Casting on Microstructure and Properties of ZL101 Semisolid Slurry

A novel micro fused-casting(MFC)process is developed for semisolid aluminum alloy slurry.The microstructure evolution and properties of semisolid ZL101 aluminum alloy slurry with difierent pouring temperature by MFC are investigated in this paper.During the cooling process,the effects of the pouring temperature on microstructure and properties is primarily analyzed.The microstructure of the semisolid ZL101 aluminum alloy is more homogeneous and the grain is smaller under proper pouring temperature.Temperature of liquids and solids of ZL101 aluminum alloy is measured by difierential scanning calorimetry(DSC).Distribution and characteristics of the microstructure of samples are examined by optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS).The results show that the ZL101 semisolid slurry fabricated by MFC presents uniform shape and good grain size under the pouring temperature of 594°C and the stirring velocity of 600 r/min,and the fine grains of the primary a-Al phase with average grain size of 55μm and shape factor up to 0.67 were obtained.Besides,the ultimate tensile strength and the average Vickers hardness for semisolid ZL101 aluminum slurry are 178.19±1.37 MPa and 86.15±1.16 HV,respectively.

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.

Manufacture technique of semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry making process were investigated. The results indicate that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting requirement can be made by a combination of low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature (or superheat) and the stirring power significantly affect the morphology and the size of primary α-Al, while there is no obvious effect of the stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring without stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 Al alloy are markedly improved by a process of applying both low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. Under the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring applied, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be equivalently to reach the effectiveness obtained from the even lower pouring temperature without stirring.

EFFECT OF GRAIN REFINING ON PRIMARYαPHASE IN SEMI-SOLID A356 ALLOY PREPARED BY LOW SUPERHEAT POURING AND SLIGHT ELECTROMAGNETIC STIRRING

The semi-solid slurry of A356 alloy, which is grain-refined by Al-Ti-B master alloy, is prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring. The effects of grain refining on the morphology and the grain size of the primary α phase in the slurry manufactured are researched. The results indicate that the slurry with particle-like and rosette-like primary α phases can be prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring from liquid A356 alloy grain-refined, in which the pouring temperature can be suitably raised. Compared with the A356 samples without grain refining, the grain size and particle morphology of primary α phase as well as the distribution of the grain with particle-like or rosette-like along radial in the ingot in A356 are markedly improved by grain refining.

Numerical simulation on multiple pouring process for a 292 t steel ingot

A ladle-tundish-mould transportation model considering the entire multiple pouring(MP) process is proposed. Numerical simulation is carried out to study the carbon distribution and variation in both the tundish and the mould for making a 292 t steel ingot. Firstly, the fluid flow as well as the heat and mass transfer of the molten steel in the tundish is simulated based on the multiphase transient turbulence model. Then, the carbon mixing in the mould is calculated by using the species concentration at the tundish outlet as the inlet condition during the teeming process. The results show a high concentration of carbon at the bottom and a low concentration of carbon at the top of the mould after a MP process with carbon content high in the first ladle and low in the last ladle. Such carbon concentration distribution would help reduce the negative segregation at the bottom and the positive segregation at the top of the solidified ingot.

Effect of Pouring Temperature on Microstructure and Properties of A356 Alloy Strip by a Novel Semisolid Micro Fused-Casting for Metal

A novel semisolid micro fused-casting(MFC) for preparing A356 alloy strips is proposed, and the effects of process parameters of pouring temperature on the microstructure and properties of A356 alloy strips are investigated. MFC means that the semisolid metal slurry was pressed out from the outlet of bottom of crucible to the movable plate, and directly solidified and formed layer by layer. The microstructure and properties of A356 semisolid alloy slurry were influenced by the cooling conditions. Results show that the aluminu alloy A356 strip samples fabricated by micro fused-casting had good performances and uniform structures with the pouring temperature at 595 ℃ and the substrate movement speed at 18 mm/s. The fine grains of the primary a-Al phase with average grain size of 53 μm and shape factor up to 0.72 was obtained, the ultimate tensile strength of the aluminum alloy A356 strip reaches 243.79±3.91 MPa, while the average vickers hardness is 82.65±1.86 HV.

Refinement of primary Si grains in Al–20%Si alloy slurry through serpentine channel pouring process

In this study, a serpentine channel pouring process was used to prepare the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry and refine primary Si grains in the alloy. The effects of the pouring temperature, number of curves in the serpentine channel, and material of the serpentine channel on the size of primary Si grains in the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were investigated. The results showed that the pouting temperature, number of the curves, and material of the channel strongly affected the size and distribution of the primary Si grains. The pouring tempera- ture exerted the strongest effect, followed by the number of the curves and then the material of the channel. Under experimental conditions of a four-curve copper channel and a pouring temperature of 701℃, primary Si grains in the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were refined to the greatest extent, and the lath-like grains were changed into granular grains. Moreover, the equivalent grain diameter and the average shape coefficient of primary Si grains in the satisfactory semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were 24.4 μm and 0.89, respectively. Finally, the re- finement mechanism and distribution rule of primary Si grains in the slurry prepared through the serpentine channel pouring process were analyzed and discussed.

Refinement of primary Si grains of A390 alloy slurry through serpentine channel pouring process

In this paper, the serpentine channel pouring process for preparing a semi-solid A390 alloy slurry and refining the primary Si grains of the A390 alloy, was used. The effects of the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves on the size of the primary Si grains in the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves have a major effect on the size and the distribution of primary Si grains. Under the experimental condition of the four-curve copper channel whose cooling water flow was 500 L·h-1 and the pouring temperature was 690 oC, the primary Si grains of the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were refined to the greatest extent and the lath-like grains were changed into granular ones. Additionally, the equivalent grain diameter and the average shape factor of the primary Si grains of the satisfactory semi-solid A390 alloy slurry are 18.6 μm and 0.8, respectively. Further, the refinement mechanism of the primary Si grains through the serpentine channel pouring process was analyzed and discussed. In summary, the primary Si nuclei could be easily precipitated due to the chilling effect of the channel inner wall, thus the primary Si grains were greatly refined. Meanwhile, the subsequent alloy melt fluid also promoted the separation of primary Si grains from the inner wall, further refining the primary Si grains.

Influence of pouring methods on filling process,microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 Mg alloy pipe by horizontal centrifugal casting

Pouring position as the input heat source has great infl uence on the temperature fi eld evolution. In this study, the Flow3 D simulation software was applied to investigate the infl uence of pouring methods(with fi xed or moving pouring channel) on AZ91 Mg alloy horizontal centrifugal casting(HCC) process. The simulation results show that the moving pouring channel method can effectively increase the cooling rate and formability of casting pipe. The casting experiment shows that an AZ91 Mg alloy casting pipe with homogeneous microstructure and clear contour was obtained by the moving pouring channel method, and the grain size of the casting pipe is signifi cantly decreased. Meanwhile, serious macro-segregation appeared in the AZ91 casting pipe by the fi xed pouring channel HCC process. Compared with the fi xed pouring channel, the moving pouring channel can remarkably improve the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the AZ91 HCC pipe from 142.2 MPa to 201.5 MPa and 6.2% to 6.7%, respectively.

Effect of pouring height on the solidified microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy

The effect of different pouring heights and evenly soaking process in the liquidus and solidus range on the solidified microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy has been studied. The results show that if the pouring temperature is 630 or 650℃ and the pouring height is 40 mm, the microstructure of the solidified melt is not homogeneous and there are many rosette-like primary α-Al grains. But if the pouring height is increased to 400 mm, the solidified microstructure becomes more homogeneous and favorable to obtain spherical primary α-Al grains in the solidified melt. With further being evenly soaked in the liquidus and solidus range for some time, the temperature difference between the melt center and the melt periphery can be controlled within ±2℃ and the primary α-Al grains will evolve into more spherical grains. The theoretical analysis indicates that the higher pouring height promotes the melt flow motion and makes the temperature field in the melt more homogeneous and restrains the large rosette primary α-Al grains. This flow motion can also promote the ripening effect and the primary α-Al grains in the melt are gradually changed into spherical grains. It can be concluded from the experiments that pouring at an appropriate superheat and from a proper height is a good new method for preparing the semisolid slurry of AlSi7Mg alloy, its process control is easy and the preparation cost is lower.

Microstructural characteristics of in situ Mg_2Si/Al-Si composite by low superheat pouring

To control the morphology and size of the primary and eutectic Mg2Si phases in in situ Mg2Si/Al-Si composite and achieve a feasible and reliable technique to produce appropriate feedstock for the thixo-casting and rheo-casting of this type of material,three Al-Si matrix composites reinforced by 5wt.%,9wt.%and 17wt.%Mg2Si with hypoeutectic,eutectic and hypereutectic compositions were prepared by the low superheat pouring(LSP)process.The effects of the pouring temperature(superheat)on the morphology and size distribution of primary phases(primaryα-Al and Mg2Si),binary(α-Al+Mg2Si)eutectic cell and eutectic Mg2Si were investigated.The experimental results show that low pouring temperature(superheat)not only refines the grain structure of the primaryα-Al and binary(α-Al+Mg2Si)eutectic cell in three composites and promotes the formation of more nondendritic structural semi-solid metal(SSM)slurry of these phases;but also refines the primary and eutectic Mg2Si phases,which seems to be attributed to the creation of an ideal condition for the nucleation and the acquisition of a high survival of nuclei caused by the LSP process.

Effect of Pouring Process on the Microstructures of Semi-Solid AlSi_7Mg Alloy

The effect of different pouring temperatures and different pouring heights, the distance between the mouth of the pouring ladle and the top of the mold, on the microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy have been researched in the paper. When the pouring temperature is close to the liquidus temperature, the primary alpha -Al in 'the billets of AlSi7Mg alloy solidified into spherical and nodular fine grains distributed homogeneously. The optimum pouring temperature for semi-solid AlSi7Mg billet with spherical or nodular primary alpha -Al is 615 degreesC. At the same pouring temperature, the higher the pouring ladle, the more easily the spherical and nodular primary alpha -Al obtained in the semi-solid AlSi7Mg billet. When the pouring temperature is close to the liquidus temperature and the pouring ladle is relatively high, it is the great cooling rate, the flow of the molten allay caused by pouring and the large simultaneous solidification region induced by the near liquidus temperature, that promote the formation of spherical or nodular primary cr-Al.

Effect of pouring temperature on fractal dimension of primary phase morphology in semi-solid A356 alloy

The fractal dimensions of primary phase morphology in semi-solid A356 alloy prepared by low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring were calculated,and the effect of pouring temperature on fractal dimension of primary phase morphology in semi-solid A356 alloy was researched.The results indicate that it is feasible to prepare semisolid A356 alloy slurry by low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring,and there is an important effect of pouring temperature on the morphology and the grain size of the primary phase in semi-solid A356 alloy,in which the reduction of pouring temperature can obviously improve grain size and shape factor of primary phase in semi-solid A356 alloy under the condition of a certain stirring power.The primary phase morphology of semi-solid A356 alloy prepared by low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring can be characterized by fractal dimension,and the primary phase morphology obtained by the different processing parameters has the different fractal dimensions.Solidification of semi-solid alloy is a course of change in fractal dimension.

Effect of pouring temperature on semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy prepared by weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature on the slurry manufactured by weak electromagnetic stirring were researched. The results indicate that it is feasible to manufacture the slurry with particle-like primary phases by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring, and there is an important effect of the pouring temperature (superheat temperature) on the morphology and the size of primaryα-Al in A356 Al alloy. By the action of suitable weak electromagnetic stirring, increasing pouring temperature to put low superheat pouring in practice is capable of obtaining semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy with particle-like primary phase. Compared with the samples made only by low superheat pouring without stirring, raising pouring temperature by 15-35 ℃ above the liquidus temperature under condition of weak electromagnetic stirring can ensure the same grain size and morphology of the primary phase.

Effect of pouring temperature on semi-solid slurry of ZL101 alloy prepared by slightly electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of ZL101 alloy is prepared by a combination technology of low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring.The effects of pouring temperature on the slurry prepared by the technology are investigated.The results indicate that it is feasible to prepare the slurry with globular primary phases by low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring,and that the pouring temperature has an important effect on the morphology and the size of primaryα-Al in ZL101 alloy.By applying suitable slightly electromagnetic stirring combining with relatively increased pouring temperature,i.e.,in a practical way to apply low superheat pouring technology,is capable of obtaining appropriate semi-solid slurry of ZL101 alloy with globular shape of primary phase.Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring only without stirring,the samples prepared by applying both slightly electromagnetic stirring and low superheat pouring can enable to achieve the same grain size and morphology of the primary phase with that of pouring at 15-35℃higher.

Effect of pouring temperature on thixotropic microstructure formation of AZ91

The effect of pouring temperature on thixotropic microstructure of AZ91 was investigated.The results show that the pouring temperature has a pronounced effect both on microstructural morphology and grain size.By decreasing the pouring temperature,the morphology of grains changes from coarse dendritic to fine dendritic structure.The fine dendritic structure that was obtained at low pouring temperature developed into a globular structure with a grain size of 60 μm,if the AZ91 was partially remelted and held isothermally at the semisolid state(575 ℃).On the other hand,if the alloy was poured at a high superheat,the particles were irregular and interconnected with a grain size of 180 μm even after 20 min of isothermal holding.

Interface of components with large ratio of altitude to diameter formed by laminated pouring and accumulated liquid forging technology

Based on the experiment of laminated pouring and accumulated liquid forging of 2A12 aluminum alloy, interface bonding of formed component with large altitude to dimeter ratio of altitude to diameter was investigated by means of SEM and Instron tensile tester. The results show that the method of laminated pouring and accumulated liquid forging can be used for forming components with large ratio. Pouring temperature, reheated temperature of die, pressure, pouring layers and standing time are all important technique parameters that influence the mechanical properties. When pouring temperature is 740 ℃, reheated temperature of die is 480 ℃, pressure is 500 kN, pouring layers are three and standing time is 5 s, the mechanical properties of interface are the optimum ones, microstructure is equiaxed crystal and tensile fracture has character of dimple. There are three kinds of bonding, which are melting bonding, part melting bonding and mechanical bonding. And the interface of the melting bonding possesses the best mechanical properties.

Microstructure and properties of mechanical alloying particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites prepared by semisolid stirring pouring method

Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with mechanical alloying particles(SiC_p) were fabricated by the semisolid stirring pouring method. The inf luence of mechanical alloying particles and Mg on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated by means of optical microscopy(OM), X-ray diffraction scanning(XRD), electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS). Results show that the addition of Mg converts the agglomerate mechanical al oying particles in ZL101 matrix composites into dispersed distribution in ZL101-Mg matrix composites, large matrix grains into f ine equiaxed matrix grains, and eutectic phase into f ine particles. So the mechanical properties of ZL101-Mg matrix composites are better than those of ZL101 matrix composites. The mechanical properties of ZL101/ZL101-Mg matrix composites are gradually increased with the increase of the volume fraction of mechanical alloying particles. When the volume fraction of mechanical alloying particles is 3%, the Vickers hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the ZL101/ZL101-Mg matrix composites reach their maximum values.

Effects of Pouring Temperature on Interfacial Reaction between Ti-47-5Al-2-5V-1Cr Alloy and Mold during Centrifugal Casting

Pouring temperature and time are the most important influencing factors on interfacial reaction during the centrifugal casting. When cast at high temperatures, the crucible becomes brittle and prone to cracking, and shows a low stability. In this paper, we studied the centrifugal casting of Ti-47.5-Al-2.5V-1Cr alloy, and explored the effects of pouring temperature on the interfacial reaction. Castings at 1 600, 1 650, and 1 700 ℃ were obtained by controlling the other parameters constant in the experiments. The microstructure, elemental distribution, thickness of the reaction layer and phase composition of the castings at the interface were studied. The results show that the thickness at the interfacial reaction layer is increased by raising the pouring temperature. The elements in the mold and the matrix were double-diffused and reacted at the interface during the casting process, and formed solid solutions with the precipitation of many new phases such as AlOand TiO. The roughness of interface structure and layer thickness of reaction increase with the rise of temperature, and the interfacial reaction is more intense. There is a minimum layer thickness of the reaction layer that is 80 μm when the temperature is 1 600 ℃.

Study on Image- denoising of Liquid Column in Investment Casting Auto- pouring System

The application of investment casting auto-pouring system can improve the efficiency of manual-pouring system to a certain extent.The judgment of start-stop time depends on the preprocessing of original image collected by the CCD camera.Several methods are presented to denoise the liquid column image.The method of morphological image processing is feasible in theory,and it is important whether to choose the structural element or not.The method of pouring image projection is less affected the image of spure cup.The complexity of image window algorithm is minimal.