The solidification characteristics of Fe-rich intermetallics in Al-11.5Si-0.4Mg cast alloys

After the nucleation and sedimentation of primary Fe-rich phases, the microstructures of Al-11.5Si-0.4Mg cast alloys with 0.35–1.03Fe and 0.18–0.59Mn have been studied to investigate the solidification characteristics of Fe-rich phases. Depending on the iron and manganese contents as well as cooling rates, Fe-rich phases may solidify as predendritic (primary), pre-eutectic, coeutectic, and posteutectic intermetallics at the different stages of solidification through three types of reactions: (1) predendritic (primary), (2) eutectic, and (3) peritectic reactions. It seems that Fe-rich phases may nucleate on the wetted sides of double oxide films, while the gap of the dry sides of oxide films constitutes the cracks commonly observed in the Fe-rich phases and aluminum matrix. Conventional metallurgical observations also suggest that the Fe-rich phases nucleated early during the solidification might act as nuclei for those formed subsequently, although it has not been ruled out that these phases may share the same oxide substrates. It is probable that these nucleation events may all work as suggested in the possible nucleation hierarchy for Al-11.5Si-0.4Mg cast alloys.     

The quench sensitivity of cast Al-7 wt pct Si-0.4 wt pct Mg alloy

The effect of quenching condition on the mechanical properties of an A356 (Al-7 wt pct Si-0.4 wt pct Mg) casting alloy has been studied using a combination of mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As the quench rate decreases from 250 °C/s to 0.5 °C/s, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength decrease by approximately 27 and 33 pct, respectively. The ductility also decreases with decreasing quench rate. It appears that with the peak-aged condition, both the UTS and yield strength are a logarithmic function of the quench rate,i.e., UTS orσ _y =A logR +B. The termA is a measure of quench sensitivity. For both UTS and yield strength of the peak-aged A356 alloy,A is approximately 32 to 33 MPa/log (°C/s). The peak-aged A356 alloy is more quench sensitive than the aluminum alloy 6063. For 6063,A is approximately 10 MPa/log (°C/s). The higher quench sensitivity of A356 is probably due to the high level of excess Si. A lower quench rate results in a lower level of solute supersaturation in the α-Al matrix and a decreased amount of excess Si in the matrix after quenching. Both of these mechanisms play important roles in causing the decrease in the strength of the peak-aged A356 with decreasing the quench rate.     

Optimization of Solution Treatment of Cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg and Al-8Si-3Cu-0.5Mg Alloys

The influence of solidification rate on the solution-treatment response has been investigated for an Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy and an Al-8Si-3Cu-0.5Mg alloy. The concentrations of Mg, Cu, and Si in the matrix after different solution-treatment times were measured using a wavelength dispersive spectrometer. All Mg dissolves into the matrix for the Al-Si-Mg alloy when solution treated at 803 K (530 °C) because the π-Fe phase is unstable and transforms into short β-Fe plates which release Mg. The Q-Al₅Mg₈Cu₂Si₆ phase do not dissolve completely at 768 K (495 °C) in the Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy and the concentration in the matrix reached 0.22 to 0.25 wt pct Mg. The distance between π-Fe phases and Al₂Cu phases was found to determine the solution-treatment time needed for dissolution and homogenization for the Al-Si-Mg alloy and Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy, respectively. From the distance between the phases, a dimensionless diffusion time was calculated which can be used to estimate the solution-treatment times needed for different coarsenesses of the microstructure. A model was developed to describe the dissolution and homogenization processes.     

铸态和沉积态Al-25Si-5Fe-3Cu合金的显微组织与相形成

采用常规铸造和喷射成形工艺制备了含硅达25%(质量分数)的过共晶Al-Si合金,利用SEM(EDS)、XRD和DSC等分析方法对合金的显微组织和相熔解析出进行了分析研究.结果表明,铸态合金含有粗大块状初晶Si相和粗大针片状含铁相,而喷射成形工艺能够使二者的尺寸、形貌发生改变而有利于合金性能的提高.同时,铸态和沉积态合金中均含有基体Al、初晶Si和Al₂Cu相,不同的是铸态合金中含铁相主要为δ-Al₄FeSi₂相,而沉积态合金中以β-Al₅FeSi相为主.分析其原因主要是糊状层的存在引起沉积坯冷却速度降低而导致沉积坯中发生δ-Al₄FeSi₂相的转变及共晶组织增加,致使沉积态合金中β-Al₅FeSi相为主要含铁相.采用DSC实验对沉积态合金在熔化和凝固过程中发生的反应进行了讨论.     

The effect of predeformation and heat treatment on microstructure of Al-7.0% Si-0.45% Mg alloy cast through SIMA route

The effect of warm working, hot working and heat treatment conditions on microstructure of Al-7.0%Si-0.45%Mg alloys were investigated in strain induced melt activation (SIMA) process. Predeformation of 30%, 40% and 50% was done by hot working. The hot working has been carried out at 380°C. The samples of various deformations were kept at 580°C, 590°C, 600°C with varied soaking time for 10, 20, 30 min respectively. It was found that increased predeformation reduced the soaking time to obtain globular α Al grains. The shape factor and metallography were done on SIMA processed Al-7.0%Si-0.45%Mg alloys. Those were compared with as cast Al-7.0%Si-0.45%Mg alloy and it was observed that strain induced predeformation and subsequently melt activation has caused the globular microstructure of the alloy.     

The effect of Sr and Fe additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a direct squeeze cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy

This article describes the results of an investigation into the microstructure and mechanical properties of a gravity die cast and direct squeeze cast LM25 alloy (Al-7Si-0.3Mg-0.3Fe). The direct squeeze cast LM25 alloy has superior mechanical properties compared to the gravity die cast LM25 alloy, especially with regard to ductility, which is increased from ∼1.7 pct for the gravity die cast LM25 alloy to ∼8.0 pct for the direct squeeze cast LM25 alloy in the T6 heat-treated condition. This increase in ductility is due to (1) the removal of porosity, (2) a decrease in Si particle size, and (3) a refinement of the Fe-Si-aluminide particles. High cooling rates in direct squeeze casting result in quench modification of the Si particles, such that chemical modification with Sr or Na may not be required. In addition, direct squeeze casting is more tolerant of Fe impurities in the alloy, due to the formation of smaller Fe-Si-aluminide particles than those in gravity die cast material. The direct squeeze cast LM25+Fe alloy (Al-7Si-0.3Mg-1.0Fe) has a ductility of ∼6.5 pct, compared to that of ∼0.5 pct for the gravity die cast LM25 + Fe alloy in the T6 heat-treated condition. This increase in tolerance to Fe impurities can lead to a substantial reduction in manufacturing costs due to (1) reduced raw-material costs, (2) reduced die sticking, and (3) improved die life.     

The Structure and Kinetics of the Nanoscale Precipitation Processes in Al-1.0 wt pct Mg2Si-0.4 wt pct Mg-0.5 wt pct Ag Alloy

The influence of addition of 0.4 wt pct Mg on the precipitation sequence in the balanced Al-1.0 wt pct Mg₂Si bearing 0.5 wt pct Ag has been investigated during the continuous heating of the quenched alloy from the solid solution state. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques have been used. The DSC experiments showed that all processes occurred are thermally activated. The activation energies of the precipitation processes have been determined and hence the kinetics of these precipitates have been determined. The obtained results have shown that the existence of excess Mg inhibits the formation of the early stage clusters of solute-vacancy clusters. These clusters can be assisted by the binding energies between solute Si, Mg, and Ag atoms and the excess vacancies. On the other hand, excess Mg accelerates the precipitation of random, β′-phase and β-phase precipitates.     

Eutectic Morphology of Al-7Si-0.3Mg Alloys with Scandium Additions

The mechanisms of Al-Si eutectic refinement due to scandium (Sc) additions have been studied in an Al-7Si-0.3Mg foundry alloy. The evolution of eutectic microstructure is studied by thermal analysis and interrupted solidification, and the distribution of Sc is studied by synchrotron micro-XRF mapping. Sc is shown to cause significant refinement of the eutectic silicon. The results show that Sc additions strongly suppress the nucleation of eutectic silicon due to the formation of ScP instead of AlP. Sc additions change the macroscopic eutectic growth mode to the propagation of a defined eutectic front from the mold walls opposite to the heat flux direction similar to past work with Na, Ca, and Y additions. It is found that Sc segregates to the eutectic aluminum and AlSi₂Sc₂ phases and not to eutectic silicon, suggesting that impurity-induced twinning does not operate. The results suggest that Sc refinement is mostly caused by the significantly reduced silicon nucleation frequency and the resulting increase in mean interface growth rate.     

喷射沉积Al-12Si-0.6Mg合金的微观组织与性能

共晶合金具有良好的激光焊接性能,为提高电子封装盖板用Al-12Si合金的强度并保持良好的热物理性能,采用喷射沉积与热压烧结技术制备Al-12Si合金,研究添加0.6％Mg对合金微观组织、力学性能和热物理性能的影响.结果表明,喷射沉积/热压烧结Al-12Si合金中Si相呈近球形颗粒,平均直径为(4.5±0.2)μm,均匀...     

离心转速对过共晶铝硅合金Al-19Si-5Mg组织的影响

通过改变离心铸造的转速,获得了内层聚集大量Mg2Si和初晶Si,中层不含Mg2Si和初晶Si,外层含有少量Mg2Si和初晶Si的Al-19％Si-5％Mg合金自生梯度功能复合材料圆筒形零件,分析了该复合材料零件组织分布特征和成型工艺过程及影响因素。实验结果表明：离心转速将明显影响第二相颗粒的分布;离心转速越高,颗粒的偏聚越明显。     

Mn对喷射沉积Al-25Si-xFe-yMn合金中Fe相的影响

通过喷射沉积工艺制备了Al-25Si-xFe-yMn(Mn/Fe质量比在0～1之间)系列合金的沉积坯,利用SEM、XRD和EDX对这些沉积坯的微观组织进行分析.结果表明,添加Mn元素,将生成颗粒状的α-Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂,取代了针状的δ-Al₄FeSi₂和β-Al₅FeSi相,从而显著地改善高硅铝合金中的Fe相的形貌,并且随着Mn/Fe质量比的提高,沉积坯中颗粒状的α-Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂含量也增加,而针状相的含量却减少,当Mn/Fe质量比增加到0.83或1时,在沉积坯中只发现颗粒状的α-Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂.     

Martensitic phases in splat quenchedβ Ag Mg alloys

Retainedβ-phase as well as martensitic phases have been obtained by splat quenching Ag-46.6 at. pct Mg and Ag-43.1 at. pct Mg alloys. The retainedβ-phase exhibitsB ₂ orDO ₃ type ordering. Two martensitic phases have been identified in these alloys. These phases are3R and2H stacking modulations derived by stacking (110) type planes of the (β-phases. A close examination of electron diffraction patterns of the retained (β-phase reveals extra intensity maxima. These extra maxima are explained in terms of fine particles of2H and3R type surface martensites in retainedβ-phase.     

Modeling of feeding behavior of solidifying Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy plate casting

The systematic change of riser size, together with the variation of geometries of solidifying Al-7Si-0.3Mg plate castings, was tested by thermal analysis to model the interdendritic feeding behavior based on Darcy’s law. This law, however, is found to be only applicable to certain thermal conditions in the solidifying casting. The applicability of Darcy’s law depends on the regime of solidification time. A new feeding efficiency parameter integrating all individual ther-mal variables, denoted as(G · t ^2/3)V_s (whereG is the thermal gradient,t is local solidification time, and V_{s i} is solidus velocity), is found satisfactory to predict the formation of porosity. The combined geometries of a casting and its riser size exert a great influence on the thermal vari-ables of Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy in a complicated way. Together, these thermal variables synergize to govern the feeding behavior of the casting.     

The effect of mischmetal addition on the structure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy containing excess iron (up to 0.6 Pct)

The effect of Fe content (0.2 to 0.6 pct) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg (LM 25/356) alloy has been investigated. Further, 1 pct mischmetal (MM) additions (a mixture of rare-earth (RE) elements) were made to these alloys, and their mechanical properties at room and at elevated temperatures (up to 200 °C) were evaluated. A structure-property correlation on this alloy was attempted using optical microstructure analysis, fractographs, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX), and quantitative metallography by image analysis. An increase in Fe content increased the volume percentage of Fe-bearing intermetallic compounds (β and π phases), contributing to the loweryield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), percentage elongation, and higher hardness. An addition of 1 pct MM to the alloys containing 0.2 and 0.6 pct Fe was found to refine the microstructure; modify the eutectic silicon and La, Ce, and Nd present in the MM; form different intermetallic compounds with Al, Si, Fe, and Mg; and improve the mechanical properties of the alloys both at room and elevated temperatures.     

The role of oxides in the formation of primary iron intermetallics in an Al-11.6Si-0.37Mg alloy

Recent research suggest that the iron-rich intermetallic phases, such as α-Fe Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂ and β-Fe Al₅FeSi, nucleate on oxide films entrained in aluminum casting alloys. This is evidenced by the presence of crack-like defects within these iron-rich intermetallics. In an attempt to verify the role of oxides in nucleating iron-rich intermetallics, experiments have been conducted under conditions where in-situ entrained oxide films and deliberately added oxide particles were present. Iron-rich intermetallics are observed to be associated with the oxides in the final microstructure, and crack-like defects are often observed in the β-Fe plates. The physical association of the Fe-rich intermetallic phases with these solid oxides, either formed in situ or added, is in accordance with the mechanism suggesting that iron-rich intermetallics nucleate upon the wetted sides of double oxide films. This article is based on a presentation made in the John Campbell Symposium on Shape Casting, held during the TMS Annual Meeting, February 13–17, 2005, in San Francisco, CA.