The Effects of Microstructure Heterogeneities and Casting Defects on the Mechanical Properties of High-Pressure Die-Cast AlSi9Cu3(Fe) Alloys

Detailed investigations of the salient microstructural features and casting defects of the high-pressure die-cast (HPDC) AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy are reported. These characteristics are addressed to the mechanical properties and reliability of separate HPDC tensile bars. Metallographic and image analysis techniques have been used to quantitatively examine the microstructural changes throughout the tensile specimen. The results indicate that the die-cast microstructure consists of several microstructural heterogeneities such as positive eutectic segregation bands, externally solidified crystals (ESCs), cold flakes, primary Fe-rich intermetallics (sludge), and porosities. In addition, it results that sludge particles, gas porosity, as well as ESCs, and cold flakes are concentrated toward the casting center while low porosity and fine-grained structure is observed on the surface layer of the castings bars. The local variation of the hardness along the cross section as well as the change of tensile test results as a function of gage diameter of the tensile bars seem to be ascribed to the change of porosity content, eutectic fraction, and amount of sludge. Further, this behavior reflects upon the reliability of the die-cast alloy, as evidenced by the Weibull statistics.     

Feeding Mechanisms in High-Pressure Die Castings

This work focuses on understanding the feeding behavior during high-pressure die casting (HPDC). The effects of intensification pressure (IP) and gate thickness on the transport of material through the gate during the latter stages of HPDC were investigated using an AlSi3MgMn alloy. Microstructural characterization of the gate region indicated a marked change in feeding mechanism with increasing IP and gate size. Castings produced with a high IP or thick gate contained a relatively low fraction of total porosity, and shear band-like features existed through the gate, suggesting that semisolid strain localization in the gate is involved in feeding during the pressure intensification stage. When a low IP is combined with a thin gate, no shear band is observed in the gate and feeding is less effective, resulting in a higher level of porosity in the HPDC component. Although shear banding through the gate was found to reduce porosity in HPDC parts, if gates are not properly designed, deformation of the mushy zone through the gate can cause severe macrosegregation, large pores, and large cracks, which could severely reduce the performance of the component.     

Segregation band formation in Al-Si die castings

Banded defects are often found in high-pressure die castings. These bands can contain segregation, porosity, and/or tears, and changing casting conditions and alloy are known to change the position and make-up of the bands. Due to the complex, dynamic nature of the high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) process, it is very difficult to study the effect of individual parameters on band formation. In the work presented here, bands of segregation similar to those found in cold-chamber HPDC aluminum alloys were found in laboratory gravity die castings. Samples were cast with a range of fraction solids from 0 to 0.3 and the effect of die temperature and external solid fraction on segregation bands was investigated. The results are considered with reference to the rheological properties of the filling semisolid metal and a formation mechanism for bands is proposed by considering flow past a solidifying immobile wall layer.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Fe-25%Cr-5%Al ribbons produced by planar flow casting

Catalyst substrate foils of the highly oxidation resistant Fe-25Cr-5Al alloy (mass contents in %) with a thickness ranging from 40 to 180 μm have been produced by planar flow casting. The rapidly solidified ribbons showed a monophase ferritic microstructure of columnar grains. The grain size determined over a section parallel to the ribbon wheel side ranged from 5 μm for the thin ribbons (40 μm) to 18 μm for the thicker ones {180 μm). This anisotropic columnar solidification microstructure exhibits a strong <100> fiber texture, with the fiber axis nearly perpendicular to the plane of the ribbon. The position of the maximum in the pole figure was tilted from the center point toward the casting direction. Results of uniaxial tensile tests showed that only the yield stress data of the ribbons in the as-cast condition are reproducible, whereas the ultimate tensile strength and the elongation to failure data show a wide scatter band. The fracture mode exhibits ductile features such as glide bands and dimples.     

Relationship Between the 3D Porosity and β-Phase Distributions and the Mechanical Properties of a High Pressure Die Cast AZ91 Mg Alloy

Currently, most magnesium lightweight components are fabricated by casting as this process is cost effective and allows forming parts with complex geometries and weak textures. However, cast microstructures are known to be heterogeneous and contain unpredictable porosity distributions, which give rise to a large variability in the mechanical properties. This work constitutes an attempt to correlate the microstructure and the mechanical behavior of a high pressure die cast (HPDC) Mg AZ91 alloy, aimed at facilitating process optimization. We have built a stairway-shaped die to fabricate alloy sections with different thicknesses and, thus, with a range of microstructures. The grain size distributions and the content of β-phase (Mg₁₇Al₁₂) were characterized by optical and electron microscopy techniques as well as by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The bulk porosity distribution was measured by 3D computed X-ray microtomography. It was found that the through-thickness microhardness distribution is mostly related to the local area fraction of the β-phase and to the local area fraction of the pores. We correlate the tensile yield strength to the average pore size and the fracture strength and elongation to the bulk porosity volume fraction. We propose that this empirical approach might be extended to the estimation of mechanical properties in other HPDC Mg alloys.     

Effect of Pressure on Graphite Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Squeeze Cast Hyper-Eutectic Grey Cast Iron

Squeeze casting is a process in which a high external pressure is applied and maintained on the molten metal during the whole solidification process resulting in the lower porosity, higher solidification rate and improved mechanical properties. In this research, the effects of applied pressure on the morphology of graphite flakes in a squeeze cast hyper-eutectic grey cast iron were investigated. The molten grey cast irons were solidified under atmospheric pressure as well as 25, 50 and 75 MPa externally applied pressures. The results indicated that the pressure increase during solidification decreased the amount of free graphite flakes, reduced the size of pro-eutectic Kish graphite flakes and increased the density of the castings. D-type graphite enclosing austenite dendrites, resembling that expected in hypo-eutectic grey cast iron, was observed near the surfaces of the castings solidified under externally applied pressures. Moreover, some compacted and spheroidal graphite particles were observed in the castings solidified under 50 and 75 MPa pressures. Furthermore, by increasing the squeeze casting pressure from atmospheric pressure to 75 MPa, the hardness, ultimate tensile strength and elongation increased by about 13, 68 and 128%, respectively. The results have been discussed in terms of increased cooling rate, expected change in the phase diagram of the alloy, different atomic structure of the interfaces of graphite and austenite as well as some proposed theories for formation of eutectic cells and spheroidal graphite.     

Migration of crystals during the filling of semi-solid castings

In cold-chamber high-pressure die castings (HPDC), the microstructure consists of coarse externally solidified crystals (ESCs) that are commonly observed in the central region of cross sections. In the present work, controlled laboratory scale casting experiments have been conducted with particular emphasis on the flow and solidification conditions. An A356 aluminum alloy was used to produce castings by pouring semi-solid metal through a steel die. Microstructures similar to those encountered in HPDC have been produced and the resulting microstructure is found to depend on the melt and die temperature: (1) the fraction of ESCs determines the extent of migration to the central region; (2) a maximum packing determines the area fraction of ESCs in the center; and (3) the die temperature affects the position of the ESCs—a higher die temperature can induce a displaced ESC distribution. It is found that the migration of crystals to the central region requires a flow, which is constrained at all melt/die interfaces. Furthermore, potential lift mechanisms are discussed. An assessment of the Saffman lift force on individual particles shows it has no significant effect on the migration of ESCs.     

Formation of defect bands in high pressure die cast magnesium alloys

Die cast magnesium components are being increasingly used worldwide because of the excellent castability and properties that magnesium alloys offer. High pressure die casting of thin-walled components is particularly suitable because of the excellent flow characteristics of molten magnesium alloys. Typical automotive applications for thin-walled castings include components such as instrument panels, steering wheels, door frames and seat frames. These applications require optimisation of the quality and performance of the castings. It has been found that bands of porosity or segregation which follow contours parallel to the surface of the casting are formed under certain casting conditions in thin-walled magnesium high pressure die castings. The presence of this type of defect can have a significant effect on the mechanical properties. This paper investigates the effect of varied casting conditions on casting integrity and the appearance of the bands. A rationale for understanding the origin of these defects is related to the solidification behaviour, the mushy zone rheological properties and the filling pattern of the casting with associated shearing of the mushy zone. Methods to optimise the process parameters to control the occurrence of the banded defects, and thereby optimise the quality of high pressure die cast magnesium components, are outlined.     

Analysis of solidification behaviour of low alloy steel ingot casting – simulation and experimental validation

Abstract

Solidification in a small experimental steel ingot casting was studied using finite element based simulation. Using the model, the phenomenon associated with fluid flow, temperature distribution, mushy zone formation, thermal gradient ahead of solidification front, local solidification time at various instances of solidification was examined. The heat transfer was found significant till a critical thickness of the solidified ingot. Air gap analysis during the solidification showed that, in spite of high ferrostatic pressure of liquid metal there is notable air gap in the ingot bottom. The model predicted the final piping shrinkage and some small zones of axial porosity formation. The experimental ingot showed a good match on piping shrinkage and porosity obtained from simulation. The microstructure formation in the experimental ingot could be correlated with simulation results. The approximate regime of columnar to equiaxed transition was estimated form the simulation and was matched with that obtained in the actual experimental ingot. The microstructures of the ingot at typical zones were examined in the ingot and correlated to local solidification time.     

Melt-Conditioned, High-Pressure Die Casting of Mg–Zn–Y Alloy

The liquid Mg–Zn–Y alloy was conditioned by an application of high-intensive shearing with a pair of intermesh twin screws prior to high-pressure die casting (HPDC). Melt conditioning produces a uniform microstructure with fine grain size and high integrity. The microstructure was analyzed thoroughly, and the solidification characteristics of the melt-conditioned HPDC (MC-HPDC) structure were discussed. The enhancement in I-phase precipitation and the improvement in mechanical properties of MC-HPDC Mg–Zn–Y alloy can be achieved through cyclic annealing.     

Mechanisms of Soldering Formation on Coated Core Pins

Die soldering is one of the major casting defects during the high-pressure die casting (HPDC) process, causing dimensional inaccuracy of the castings and increased downtimes of the HPDC machine. In this study, we analyzed actually failed core pins to determine the mechanism of soldering and its procedures. The results show that the soldering process starts from a local coating failure, involves a series of intermetallic phase formation from reactions between molten aluminum alloys and the H13 steel pin, and accelerates when an aluminum-rich, face-centered cubic (fcc) phase is formed between the intermetallic phases. It is the formation of the aluminum-rich fcc phase in the reaction region that joins the core pin with the casting, resulting in the sticking of the casting to the core pin. When undercuts are formed on the core pin, the ejection of castings from the die will lead to either a core pin failure or damages to the casting being ejected.     

Structure Refinement by a Liquid Metal Cooling Solidification Process for Single-Crystal Nickel-Base Superalloys

Single crystals of a nickel-base superalloy were directionally solidified (DS) over a range of cooling rates to evaluate the benefits of a new high thermal gradient solidification process. Solidification experiments were conducted on cylindrical bars with a liquid-metal-enhanced cooling process. This higher gradient casting process was evaluated for the degree of structure refinement, microstructural variability, and porosity distributions. Cylindrical bars of 1.6-cm diameter were solidified at rates between 8.4 and 21.2 mm/min using a tin-based, liquid metal cooling (LMC) technique and at a rate of 3.4 mm/min with a conventional Bridgman process. The LMC process produced a refined microstructure with average primary dendrite arm spacing (PDAS) and secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) values as low as 164 and 25 μm, respectively, for the bar geometry evaluated. An optimum intermediate withdrawal velocity of 12.7 mm/min produced up to a 50 and 60 pct refinement in PDAS and SDAS, respectively. Further increases in withdrawal velocity produced smaller SDAS and pore sizes, but undesirable grain boundaries and excessive secondary dendrite arm growth. Voronoi tessellation methods were used to examine the extremes of the dendrite arm spacings in comparison to the average measurements, the packing of dendrites, and the correlation of porosity size and location with the dendrite structure. A simple expression for prediction of the maximum pore size is developed.     

Migration of crystals during the filling of semi-solid castings

In cold-chamber high-pressure die castings (HPDC), the microstructure consists of coarse externally solidified crystals (ESCs) that are commonly observed in the central region of cross sections. In the present work, controlled laboratory scale casting experiments have been conducted with particular emphasis on the flow and solidification conditions. An A356 aluminum alloy was used to produce castings by pouring semi-solid metal through a steel die. Microstructures similar to those encountered in HPDC have been produced and the resulting microstructure is found to depend on the melt and die temperature: (1) the fraction of ESCs determines the extent of migration to the central region; (2) a maximum packing determines the area fraction of ESCs in the center; and (3) the die temperature affects the position of the ESCs—a higher die temperature can induce a displace ESC distribution. It is found that the migration of crystals to the central region requires a flow, which is constrained at all melt/die interfaces. Furthermore, potential lift mechanisms are discussed. An assessment of the Saffman lift force on individual particles shows it has no significant effect on the migration of ESCs. H.I. LAUKLI, Research Scientist, formerly with the Department of Materials Technology, NTNU, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway     

Microstructural effects on high-cycle fatigue-crack initiation in A356.2 casting alloy

The effects of various microconstituents on crack initiation and propagation in high-cycle fatigue (HCF) were investigated in an aluminum casting alloy (A356.2). Fatigue cracking was induced in both axial and bending loading conditions at strain/stress ratios of −1, 0.1, and 0.2. The secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) and porosity (maximum size and density distribution) were quantified in the directionally solidified casting alloy. Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed that cracks initiate at near-surface porosity, at oxides, and within the eutectic microconstituents, depending on the SDAS. When the SDAS is greater than ∼ 25 to 28 μm, the fatigue cracks initiate from surface and subsurface porosity. When the SDAS is less than ∼ 25 to 28 μm, the fatigue cracks initiate from the interdendritic eutectic constituents, where the silicon particles are segregated. Fatigue cracks initiated at oxide inclusions whenever they were near the surface, regardless of the SDAS. The fatigue life of a specimen whose crack initiated at a large eutectic constituent was about equal to that when the crack initiated at a pore or oxide of comparable size.     

超低碳钢连铸坯钩状坯壳的演变与夹杂物的捕集

超低碳钢常用于生产汽车面板等表面质量要求较高的产品.连铸坯皮下的钩状坯壳很容易捕集夹杂物导致冷轧钢板表面出现翘皮、亮/暗线等缺陷,对产品质量具有严重危害.采用数值模拟分析了钩状坯壳的形成和演变过程.将计算的初生坯壳形状制作成物理模型,模拟了夹杂物在凝固前沿被捕集的过程,并对凝固钩区域不同位置的夹杂物的受力特征进行了分析.结果表明,凝固钩在弯月面中形成以后,不会直接湮没进坯壳内,而是要经历熔化、变粗、生长、湮没等逐步演变的过程.数值模型预测拉速1.3 m·min-1条件下最终存留在坯壳中的凝固钩深度约为2.5 mm,这与实际观察到的钩状坯壳的尺寸基本一致.模拟得到的钩状坯壳形貌与铸坯表层和漏钢坯壳的金相特征较为接近.夹杂物最容易在凝固钩下表面被捕集,不容易在凝固钩上表面被捕集,特别是对尺寸相对较大的夹杂物.但是溢流发生时,靠近弯月面处的夹杂物可能随着钢流进入到初生凝固钩上部而被快速冷却的钢液包裹.两道凝固钩之间的坯壳由于其凝固前沿处于垂直分布,小于100 μm夹杂物可能被捕集而大尺寸夹杂物不易被捕集.      

高拉速连铸低碳铝镇静钢铸坯中夹杂物

针对高拉速板坯连铸生产的低碳铝镇静钢铸坯,采用Aspex自动扫描电镜对铸坯表层夹杂物进行大面积的扫描分析,得到不同拉速下夹杂物的变化规律,并探究流场和S含量对夹杂物分布的影响.结果表明:随着拉速增大,钩状坯壳的深度和长度逐渐减小.对拉速大于2 m·min-1的铸坯,由于钩状坯壳不是很发达,铸坯表层没有发现大于200μm的夹杂物.铸坯表层尺寸介于50~200μm的夹杂物主要是由凝固坯壳所捕获,而夹杂物在凝固前沿的受力决定了夹杂物的捕获行为.随着拉速提高,凝固前沿的钢液流速增加,随着冲刷力的增加、捕获力的减少,夹杂物被捕获的数量减少.在高拉速连铸下,如果钢液中S含量较大,夹杂物受到明显的温度Marangoni力,会更容易被凝固坯壳捕获.      

压力对A380铝合金的铸造组织和力学性能的影响

对A380铝合金进行了挤压铸造成型和传统重力铸造成型,并制得试样.采用偏光显微镜、扫描电镜、定量金相分析、拉伸性能测试等手段,研究在不同压力下挤压铸造A380铝合金的铸造组织和力学性能.结果表明:当压力在0~75 MPa范围内时,随着压力的增加,一次枝晶臂尺寸和气孔率得到大幅下降,共晶组织体积分数增加;二次枝晶臂间距减小;针状富铁β-Al₅ FeSi相尺寸大幅度减小,同时有部分汉字状α-Al₈(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂相生成.当压力在75~100 MPa范围内时,压力继续增加对合金组织细化、第二相形貌改善和力学性能提高的作用不明显.挤压铸造试件与重力铸造试件相比,气孔率减小,显微组织细化,力学性能显著提高.当压力为75 MPa时,挤压铸造A380铝合金的铸态抗拉强度和伸长率分别比重力铸造提高19%和65%.      

Microstructures and tensile properties of an A1-12 wt pct Si alloy produced by reciprocating extrusion

A reciprocating extrusion (RE) process has been developed for producing A1-12 wt pct Si bulk alloys with fine and uniform microstructures and superior properties. Two starting forms were used: disks produced by the hammer-and-anvil method and cast billets produced by casting. Variations of micro-structure and mechanical properties with the number of extrusion passes are investigated for these two starting forms. The results show that the porosity along the interfaces between the rapidly solidified layers could be completely eliminated to give a sound matrix. The Si-phase particles in both cases could be refined and distributed uniformly. The strength and ductility of all specimens are also enhanced, until the microstructure reaches an optimum state, as the number of extrusion passes increases. The tensile properties of the rapidly solidified Al-Si alloys are found to be superior to those of ingot-processed alloys, due to the inherent finer particles produced by rapid solidification. The mechanism for the improvement of the microstructures and properties is also discussed.