Effect of refining processes on inclusions and mechanical properties of cast Al-2Li-2Cu-0.2Zr alloy

The effect of different refining processes on inclusions and mechanical properties of cast Al-2Li-2Cu-0.2Zr alloy was investigated, including two-stage hexachloroethane (C2Cl6) refining process, two-stage rotating gas bubbling refining process and two-stage composite refining process. It was found that the two-stage composite refining process, which combined C2Cl6 and rotating gas bubbling, can significantly improve the melt purity and mechanical properties of cast Al-2Li-2Cu-0.2Zr alloy. Compared to the unrefined alloy, the volume fraction of gas porosity defects and slag inclusions decreased from 1.47% to 0.12%, and the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of as-quenched alloy increased from 113 MPa,179 MPa and 3.9% to 142 MPa, 293 MPa and 18.1%, respectively. C2Cl6 was first utilized to degas and remove large size slag inclusions before lithium addition, and then the rotating gas bubbling was utilized to do the further degassing and remove the suspended fine inclusions after lithium addition. The two-stage composite refining process can take advantage of two methods and get the remarkable refining effect.

挤压铸造Al-5Zn-2Mg-1Cu-0.2Sc合金的组织与性能

采用流变挤压铸造制备了Al-5Zn-2Mg-1Cu-0.2Sc合金,通过拉伸试验、SEM和TEM等方法研究了浇注温度对半固态浆料、流变挤压铸造合金组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明,随着浇注温度降低,半固态浆料和流变挤压铸造合金初生α-Al相形貌逐渐转变为近球形,在晶界附近析出的第二相分布越来越均匀,平均晶粒尺寸减小,圆整度增加。当浇注温度为700℃时,半固态浆料初生相尺寸最小,约为35μm,平均形状因子约为0.49,流变挤压铸造后合金平均晶粒尺寸约为43μm。流变挤压铸造合金的力学性能随着浇注温度的降低逐渐提升。合金经过470℃×10 h+500℃×2 h双级固溶后,大部分第二相溶于基体中。120℃×24 h时效处理后,合金的屈服强度为539 MPa,抗拉强度为612 MPa,伸长率为11%。