半固态ZL201合金本构关系研究

采用Gleeble 3800热模拟试验机对液相线铸造获得的ZL201合金半固态坯料进行了不同工艺参数下的热模拟试验,并进行了变形抗力本构方程拟合,以此为基础根据Stefan方程确定了幂律模型中的表观粘度等参数.采用商用仿真软件ANYCASTING对汽车发动机支架进行了触变压铸过程数值模拟分析,获得了ZL201合金的半固态充填流动特征响应.结果表明:半固态表观粘度随剪切速率增大而下降,在充型过程中呈现剪切变稀的触变成形特点,半固态浆料将以层流方式充填型腔,可获得充型完好的半固态压铸零件.     

Recrystallisation in the semi-solid state in 7075 aluminium alloy

There is a strong drive to near net shape process 7000 series aluminium alloys, which are currently machined from the wrought state with much waste. Semi-solid processing is one potential near net shaping route. It relies on the thixotropic behaviour of alloys with non-dendritic, spheroidal microstructures in the semi-solid state. If such alloys are sheared they thin and flow to fill the die. One route to spheroidal semi-solid microstructure is by reheating worked material into the semi-solid state. During the reheating, recrystallisation occurs and as liquid forms it penetrates the recrystallised boundaries to form spheroids. Here we examine the formation of spheroids in as-supplied 7075 aluminium alloy. It is generally known that 7075 is very resistant to recrystallisation in the solid state due to the presence of dispersoid particles pinning grain boundaries. In this work, we have reheated 7075 in the extruded and T6 condition into the semi-solid state. As the temperature rises into the semi-solid regime there is a sudden increase in the appearance of spheroidal grains. The occurrence of recrystallised grains is closely associated with the location of the first liquid to form above the solidus. Fully spheroidal microstructures are obtained on reheating as-supplied material to temperatures in the region of 580 °C, although the fractions of liquid at that temperature are still low at around 5%. Conventionally there is extra cost involved in obtaining spheroidal microstructure feedstock for semi-solid processing because additional steps are introduced into the process route. The advantage here is that as-supplied material can be directly thixoformed once appropriate liquid fractions are attained.     

Semi-solid thixo casting structure of aluminum alloy and relevant assistant analysis with the help of computer simulation

The relationship between structure morphology of semi-solid aluminum alloy die-casting sample and filling condition was studied. By systematical structure analysis and computer simulation of the filling process, the quantitative relationship between microscopic morphology (such as solid fraction, grain size and shape) and formation state was studied. The results showed that the billet microstructure must have fine and round grains for the die-casting of complex shapes. It is necessary to optimize injection speeds to escape the non-uniform distribution of the solid fraction in complex and changeable mold cavity.     

Semi-solid thixo casting structure of aluminum alloy and relevant assistant analysis with the help of computer simulation

The relationship between structure morphology of semi-solid aluminum alloy die-casting sample and filling condition was studied. By systematical structure analysis and computer simulation of the filling process, the quantitative relationship between microscopic morphology (such as solid fraction, grain size and shape) and formation state was studied. The results showed that the billet microstructure must have fine and round grains for the die-casting of complex shapes. It is necessary to optimize injection speeds to escape the non-uniform distribution of the solid fraction in complex and changeable mold cavity.     

Pressure-driven mold filling model of aluminum alloy melt/semi-solid slurry based on rheological behavior

The pressure-driven mold filling ability of aluminum alloy melt/semi-solid slurry is of great significance in pressure casting processes, and the rheological behavior of the alloy has a crucial effect on the mold filling ability according to fluid dynamics. In this work, a pressure-driven mold filling model is first proposed based on the rheological behavior of the alloys. A356 alloy is employed as an example to clarify the rheological behavior of aluminum alloys, which obeys the power law model and is affected by temperature. The rheological behavior of the alloy in semi-solid state is modelled with the coupling of shear rate and temperature. The stop of mold filling attributes to the pressure loss which is caused by the viscosity during the flow of the melt/semi-solid slurry. Pressure loss caused by viscous flow and heat transfer between the alloy and the mold are calculated and coupled during the mold filling of the melt/semi-solid slurry. A pressure-driven mold filling model of aluminum alloy melt/semi-solid slurry is established based on steady-state rheological behavior. The model successfully predicts the filling length of melt/semi-solid slurry in pressure casting processes. Compared with the experimental results,the model can provide a quantitative approach to characterize the pressure-driven mold filling ability of aluminum alloy melt. The model is capable of describing the stop filling behavior of other aluminum alloys in pressure casting processes with corresponding rheological parameters and heat transfer coefficient.     

Solid freeform fabrication by extrusion and deposition of semi-solid alloys

Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) refers to techniques that create prototypes by a layer wise deposition of material. There are several techniques available, none of which allows the production of metallic prototypes without post processing, such as debinding or sintering. One of the SFF techniques, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM®), is a well established process for thermoplastic materials such as for example ABS. Based on the FDM® technique, a process is being developed that allows the extrusion and deposition of semi-solid metals (EDSSM). The microstructure of an alloy in the semi-solid state has been investigated as a function of parameters used for rapid prototyping with SFF techniques. The extrusion and deposition processes are dependent on the rheological properties of the semi-solid metal, which in turn are dependent on the microstructure. The effect of microstructure and rheological properties on the extrusion and deposition processes is discussed.     

Simulation of liquid infiltration and semi-solid extrusion for composite tubes by quasi-coupling thermal-mechanical finite element method

As a new metal forming technology, the liquid infiltration and semi-solid extrusion process can produce various composite parts, such as tubes, bars, and shaped products, in a single process. In this paper, the liquid infiltration and semi-solid extrusion process for forming a composite tube is simulated by means of thermal rigid-plastic quasi-coupling FEM method. The key technologies such as the handling of liquid phase zone, the transition between liquid and solid phase zones, the grid re-meshing method and the establishment of the boundary condition have also been studied. Based on the FEM simulation software developed by the authors and the grid re-meshing technology, the distribution of stress field, strain field and deformation force in the liquid infiltration and semi-solid extrusion process for forming composite tubes are obtained. The deformation force simulation results accord with the experimental data, indicating the reliability of the system. Therefore, the present research is theoretically valuable in the product quality control and the process parameter choice.     

SCR技术半固态制浆及组织形成机理

采用单辊搅拌冷却技术(Shearing-Cooling-Rolling,简称SCR)制备A2017合金半固态浆料,对SCR工艺参数对半固态浆料组织的影响以及组织形成机理进行了研究.结果表明,熔体浇注温度和辊靴型腔高度对半固态浆料组织的影响显著,降低熔体浇注温度或减小辊靴型腔高度,半固态浆料组织从粗大的枝晶和菊花晶转变为细小的等轴晶或球形晶.组织形成机理分析表明,熔体首先在工作辊和靴子表面形核生长,在液流冲击及剪切搅拌的作用下晶核脱落游离进入残余液相区长大成菊花晶,在强烈剪切搅拌作用下,菊花晶断裂破碎最终形成非枝晶组织.     

Energy Dissipation and Apparent Viscosity of Semi-solid Metal during Rheological Processes Part Ⅰ： Energy Dissipation

The energy dissipation caused by the viscous force has great effects on the flow property of semi-solid metal during rheological processes such as slurry preparing, delivering and cavity filling. Experimental results in this paper indicate that the viscous friction between semi-solid metal and pipe wall, the collisions among the solid particles, and the liquid flow around particles are the three main types of energy dissipation. On the basis of the hydromechanics, the energy dissipation calculation model is built. It is demonstrated that the micro-structural parameters such as effective solid fraction, particle size and shape, and flow parameters such as the mean velocity, the fluctuant velocity of particles and the relative velocity between the fluid and solid phase, affect the energy dissipation of semi-solid metal.     

Energy Dissipation and Apparent Viscosity of Semi-solid Metal during Rheological Processes Part Ⅰ: Energy Dissipation

The energy dissipation caused by the viscous force has great effects on the flow property of semi-solid metal during rheological processes such as slurry preparing, delivering and cavity filling. Experimental results in this paper indicate that the viscous friction between semi-solid metal and pipe wall, the collisions among the solid particles, and the liquid flow around particles are the three main types of energy dissipation. On the basis of the hydromechanics, the energy dissipation calculation model is built. It is demonstrated that the micro-structural parameters such as effective solid fraction, particle size and shape, and flow parameters such as the mean velocity, the fluctuant velocity of particles and the relative velocity between the fluid and solid phase, affect the energy dissipation of semi-solid metal.     

Simulation studies on deformation behaviour of AA2017 alloy in semi-solid state using FEA

Abstract

Thixo-forming is one of the near net shaped manufacturing processes in which the final product is made between the liquidus and solidus temperatures. Forming the product at this temperature range provides large benefits compared to conventional forming methods. In the present work, deformation mechanism of AA2017 alloy in the semi-solid state has been studied. As the mechanical behaviour and deformation mechanism of semi-solid metal is completely different from that of the solid state forming, it is necessary to investigate its nature at the semi solid range. To analyse the metal flow, the stress behaviour and the corresponding strain induced, extensive finite element analysis (FEA) based simulation studies have been performed. The commercial software, DEFORM 2D was used for the simulation. The flow behaviour was modelled by formulating an Arrhenius type constitutive relation.     

Internal melting and coarsening of liquid droplets in an Al–Cu alloy: a 4-D experimental study

In conventional melting experiments of pure monocrystalline metals, the phase transformation starts at the sample surface and progresses inwards according to thermal gradients. In solutionized alloys, traces of internal melting are usually observed after reheating and quenching from the semi-solid state. The formation and development of these liquid pockets are not fully understood despite their significance in semi-solid processing, where the formability is greatly influenced by the distribution of liquid within the feedstock material. In situ X-ray microtomography was performed in this study to shed light on this phenomenon. We report in detail the melting and isothermal holding of a model binary alloy where a remarkable number of liquid droplets were observed to develop and coalesce. Various computational tools have been used to study their statistical evolution as well as the local ripening mechanisms involved. We analysed an interesting case of particle coarsening which differs from classical case studies by the fact that the fast-diffusing liquid phase is entrapped within the slow-diffusing solid medium.     

Energy Dissipation and Apparent Viscosity of Semi-solid Metal during Rheological Processes Part Ⅱ: Apparent Viscosity

This study investigated the rheological properties of semi-solid metal. An analytical model of apparent viscosity was built up based on analysis of energy dissipation during rheological processes such as slurry preparing,delivering and model filling. The rheological properties of SSM (semi-solid metal) slurry was described by an analytical model in terms of microstructural parameters, which consist of effective solid fraction, particle size and shape, and flow parameters such as mean velocity, fluctuant velocity and relative velocity between liquid and solid phase. The model was verified in the experiment of A356 alloys with a coaxial double-bucket rheometer. And the maximum relative error between the theoretical value and measured one is less than 10%.The results of experiment and theoretical calculation also indicate that the microstructural parameters and flow parameters are two major factors that affect the apparent viscosity of semi-solid alloys, and fluctuant velocity and relative velocity between liquid and solid phase are the key factors to distinguish between steady and transient rheological properties.     

Energy Dissipation and Apparent Viscosity of Semi-solid Metal during Rheological Processes Part Ⅱ： Apparent Viscosity

This study investigated the rheological properties of semi-solid metal. An analytical model of apparent viscosity was built up based on analysis of energy dissipation during rheological processes such as slurry preparing, delivering and model filling. The rheological properties of SSM （semi-solid metal） slurry was described by an analytical model in terms of microstructural parameters, which consist of effective solid fraction, particle size and shape, and flow parameters such as mean velocity, fluctuant velocity and relative velocity between liquid and solid phase. The model was verified in the experiment of A356 alloys with a coaxial double-bucket rheometer. And the maximum relative error between the theoretical value and measured one is less than 20%. The results of experiment and theoretical calculation also indicate that the microstructural parameters and flow parameters are two major factors that affect the apparent viscosity of semi-solid alloys, and fluctuant velocity and relative velocity between liquid and solid phase are the key factors to distinguish between steady and transient rheological properties.     

Mold-filling characteristics and solidification behavior of magnesium alloy in vacuum suction casting process

A novel semi-solid processing technique, called new vacuum suction casting (NVSC), is used to manufacture high-quality components of AZ91D Mg alloy directly from a liquid metal. The resulting apparent morphologies and microstructures of castings are characterized in detail and linked to the corresponding mold-filling behavior and subsequent solidification behavior. It is revealed that the semi-solid metal (SSM) with higher viscosity can be caused to fill the mold with “solid-front fill”, as compared with the liquid metal “spraying” in the conventional vacuum suction casting (CVSC) process. The smooth filling achieved in the NVSC process diminishes some disadvantages inherent for the CVSC sheets, and generates castings with better surface finish and structures with high integrity. The microstructure of the CVSC sheet consists of the fine and homogeneous supersaturated α-Mg solid solution due to the extremely high cooling rate. In the NVSC microstructure, the “preexisting” primary solid particles, with the morphology of near-globules or rosettes, disperse in the homogeneous matrix consisting of fine near-equiaxed secondary α-Mg grains and fine precipitates of β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ intermetallics. In addition, owing to rapid solidification, the volume fraction of the β phase in the sheets obtained by both the processes is much lower than that in the as-cast ingot.     

添加Sm对不同尺寸Mg-6Zn-0.4Zr镁合金坯料非枝晶组织演变的影响

采用半固态等温热处理法对添加0%、2%(质量分数)稀土SmΦ10mm和Φ20mm的Mg-6Zn-0.4Zr合金坯料非枝晶组织演变进行研究。结果表明,未添加Sm的两种尺寸合金坯料的半固态组织都存在明显的尺寸效应。从试样的边缘到芯部,固相颗粒尺寸由小逐渐变大,圆整度趋于恶化,液相逐渐减少;此外,随着坯料尺寸增大,由边缘到芯部的半固态组织的差异也增大。添加Sm的两种合金坯料经等温热处理后,固相颗粒的尺寸效应基本消除。固相颗粒尺寸整体变得均匀且细小,同时颗粒圆整度趋于完美,适宜触变成形要求。此外,添加2%的Sm使合金的非枝晶组织演变进程加快。     

Study on Multiple Electromagnetic Continuous Casting of Aluminum Alloy

To obtain semi-solid Al alloy billet with high quality, an investigation was carried out by imposing a multiple magnetic field from the outside of a copper mold in the continuous casting. AISi6Mg2 alloy designed for semi-solid metal （SSM） processing was continuously cast through a submerged entry nozzle under various conditions. Effects of multiple magnetic field on meniscus motion, temperature distribution and billet quality were examined. The experimental results showed that meniscus disturbance caused by electromagnetic stirring could be controlled effectively and the surface quality of semi-solid AI alloy billet was improved greatly, and an uniformly fine, globular microstructure across the transverse section of the billet was achieved by optimizing the distribution of multiple magnetic field.     

Effect of solidification conditions on deformation behaviour of semi-solid Sn-Pb alloys

The compressive behaviour of Sn-Pb alloys is studied with materials of conventionally dendritic structure and non-dendritic (rheocast) structure obtained through mechanical stirring during solidification. The alloys are found to deform similarly in the fully solid state but their behaviour becomes very different in the semi-solid range depending on the solidification mode. The holding time in the semi-solid state before compression also affects the mechanical properties: the influence of these two parameters is discussed in terms of the initial structure of the alloy and its evolution. Advantages of using semi-solid materials in metal forming processes are also presented.     

Modelling of microstructure evolution during hot rolling of AA5083 using an internal state variable approach integrated into an FE model

Hot rolling, a critical process in the manufacturing of aluminum sheet products, can significantly impact the final properties of the cold rolled sheet. In this research, a mathematical model was developed to predict the through-thickness thermal and deformation history of a sheet undergoing single stand hot rolling using the commercial finite element (FE) package, ABAQUS^™. A physically based internal state variable microstructure model has been incorporated into the FE simulation for an AA5083 aluminum alloy to predict the evolution of the material stored energy and the subsequent recrystallization after deformation is complete. The microstructure predictions were validated against experimental measurements conducted using the Corus pilot scale rolling facility in IJmuiden, the Netherlands for an AA5083 aluminum alloy. The model was able to predict the fraction recrystallized as well as the recrystallized grain size reasonably well under a range of industrially relevant hot deformation conditions. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the influence of changing the material constants in the microstructure model and deformation conditions on the predicted recrystallization behaviour. The analysis showed that the entry temperature was the most sensitive process parameter causing significant changes in the predicted driving force for recrystallization, nucleation density, fraction recrystallized, and recrystallized grain size.     

34Cr2Ni2Mo 合金结构钢热本构方程研究

目的基于实测的流动应力曲线,构建可用于热成形模拟的34Cr2Ni2Mo合金结构钢高精度本构方程。方法采用热模拟试验测试该材料的流动应力曲线,在动态再结晶的条件下,构建了基于物理机制的热本构方程,通过曲线拟合获得了本构方程参数。结果热模拟试验测试的流动应力曲线具有明显的动态再结晶现象,构建的本构方程包括流动应力、屈服/饱和/临界/稳态应力、发生50%再结晶的时间等内变量计算方程,在参数拟合后对其误差分析表明,本构方程计算的流动应力偏差控制在±15 MPa以内。结论 34Cr2Ni2Mo合金结构钢本构方程能够较为准确的描述该钢在热成形过程的流动应力变化特征,具有较强的数值稳定性和外延拓展性。