A rationale for the quality index of Al-Si-Mg casting alloys

The quality index introduced on empirical grounds by Drouzy, Jacob and Richard¹ is widely used by the casting industry as a tool for predicting the effect of solidification rate, chemical additions and heat treatment on the ductility and tensile strength of Al-7Si-Mg casting alloys. A drawback of the approach is its lack of physical justification. A simple analytical model is used to derive the quality index charts for A1-7Si-0.4 Mg alloys and to provide a physical meaning to the parameters involved. It is shown that the quality index relates to the fraction of uniform deformation available to the material. The application of the concept to Cu-containing alloys is also discussed.     

A rationale for the quality index of Al-Si-Mg casting alloys

The quality index introduced on empirical grounds by Drouzy, Jacob and Richard¹ is widely used by the casting industry as a tool for predicting the effect of solidification rate, chemical additions and heat treatment on the ductility and tensile strength of Al-7Si-Mg casting alloys. A drawback of the approach is its lack of physical justification. A simple analytical model is used to derive the quality index charts for A1-7Si-0.4 Mg alloys and to provide a physical meaning to the parameters involved. It is shown that the quality index relates to the fraction of uniform deformation available to the material. The application of the concept to Cu-containing alloys is also discussed.     

Evaluation of the effects of variations in chemical composition on the quality of Al-Si-Mg,Al-Cu,and Al-Zn-Mg cast aluminum alloys

The effect of slight variations in chemical composition on the quality of cast aluminum alloys from three different major alloy systems was evaluated. For the evaluation of the alloy quality, an index Q _D adjusted to damage tolerance requirements that are currently involved for the design of advanced lightweight structures is used. The quality index Q _D accounts for tensile strength and ductility as well as for material failure through yielding or fracture. For this investigation, experimental results obtained for variations in chemical composition of the alloy systems Al-Si-Mg, Al-Cu, and Al-Zn-Mg were exploited. In total, castings from 37 different batches from 10 aluminum alloys, varying in chemical composition, were evaluated. Quality characterization and alloy quality ranking were made by evaluating results of 512 tensile tests using the index Q _D as well as, for comparison, the quality index Q, which is currently used by the industry. The results obtained involving the index Q _D seem to be more realistic, from the viewpoint of damage tolerance design requirements.     

Strength-Ductility Behaviour of Al-Si-Cu-Mg Casting Alloys in T6 Temper

A comparative study of the mechanical properties of 20 experimental alloys has been carried out. The effect of different contents of Si, Cu, Mg, Fe and Mn, as well as solidification rate, has been assessed using a strength-ductility chart and a quality index-strength chart developed for the alloys.

The charts show that the strength generally increases and the ductility decreases with an increasing content of Cu and Mg. Increased Fe (at Fe/Mn ratio 0.5) dramatically lowers the ductility and strength of low Si alloys. Increased Si content generally increases the strength and the ductility. The increase in ductility with increased Si is particularly significant when the Fe content is high. The charts are used to show that the cracking of second phase particles imposes a limit to the maximum achievable strength by limiting the ductility of strong alloys. The (Cu + Mg) content (at.%), which determines the precipitation strengthening and the volume fraction of Cu-rich and Mg-rich intermetallics, can be used to select the alloys for given strength and ductility, provided the Fe content stays below the Si-dependent critical level for the formation of pre-eutectic α-phase particles or β-phase plates.     

A phenomenological approach to the Quality Index of Al-Si-Mg casting alloys

A simple continuum mechanics model relating the quality index,* Q, to parameters of the deformation curve of alloys A356/357 is presented. The model incorporates the limiting effect of particle cracking on the ductility on a phenomenological base and it is used to predict the behaviour of the quality index as the material is strengthened by either ageing or increased content of Mg. The analysis shows that for every temper there is a matrix strength that maximises the Q-value. For strong alloys the model suggests that peak ageing can reduce Q. This effect is stronger when the ductility of the material is low. The possibility of using the quality index to optimise the combination of the alloy chemical composition and temper is discussed.     

Effects of silicon,magnesium and strontium content on the qualities of Al-Si-Mg alloys

According to the specification of AA standard, the magnesium content of 356.1 alloy ranges from 0.25 to 0.45%. In producing Al-Si-Mg alloy the strontium content for the modified 356 (Al-7%Mg) alloy might range from 0.005 to 0.02%. Therefore, 356 alloys might be produced with different percentages of Mg and/or Sr. The effects of changes in Si content (from 6.6% to 10.8% in gravity casting and 6.5% to 10.3% in squeeze casting), Mg content (from 0.36% to 0.48% in gravity casting and 0.3% to 0.44% in squeeze casting), and Sr content (from 0.0007% to 0.0158% in gravity casting and 0.0015% to 0.04% in squeeze casting) on the microstructures, density, mechanical properties and strength of different Al-Si-Mg alloys were fully investigated and discussed. Different melts were poured in the ASTM B108 permanent mould and dies in a vertical squeeze machine to produce bar castings. These bar castings were then machined and the mechanical properties tested. Experimental results showed that if a high strength and a high elongation were desired in a squeeze casting after T6 treatment, an increase in Si and Sr content to 9.9% and 0.019% (Mg at 0.3%) would lead to 280 MPa strength, 12% elongation and Weibull modulus of 34 in reliability of strength. If both strength and reliability were desired in a squeeze casting after T6 treatment, an increase in Si content to 10.3% (Sr at 0.0015% and Mg at 0.3%) would result in 294 MPa strength, 8.7% elongation and a great Weibull modulus of 67. In gravity casting, after T6 treatment, increasing Si content to 10.4–10.55% and Sr content in the range of 0.0007–0.0208% and 0.35% Mg could develop 282–284 MPa strength at about 6.6% elongation with Weibull modulus of around 31. In Al-7Si-Mg alloy, increasing Mg content from 0.26% to 0.48% decreased the tested elongations of both as-cast and heat treated squeeze castings and gravity castings.     

加钛方式与钛含量对A356合金组织和性能的影响

研究了不同钛含量的电解A356合金的组织和力学性能,并与相应钛含量的熔配加钛A356合金进行了比较.结果表明:随着钛含量的增加,二者的晶粒和一次枝晶都明显细化,硅颗粒尺寸、纵横比均有所降低,硅颗粒圆形度有所增加,意味着硅颗粒形状得到改善.但当钛含量大于0.1%时,这种影响变弱.钛含量和加钛方式对合金的屈服强度和抗拉强度影响不大且二者相当,但塑性随着钛含量的增加而增加,当钛含量达到0.1%时,两种合金均具有最佳的塑性和质量系数.对具有相同钛含量的合金,电解加钛A356合金的晶粒和Si颗粒的尺寸小于相应钛含量熔配加钛A356合金,硅颗粒圆形度也优于相应熔配加钛A356合金,电解A356合金的塑性、质量系数均优于相应钛含量的熔配加钛A356合金,但加钛方式对硅颗粒纵横比影响不系统.     

Simulation of α-Al grain formation in high vacuum die-casting Al-Si-Mg alloys with multi-component quantitative cellular automaton method

Al-Si-Mg alloys are the most commonly used material in high vacuum die-casting(HVDC),in which the morphology and distribution ofα-Al grains have important effect on mechanical properties.A multi-component quantitative cellular automaton(CA)model was developed to simulate the microstructure and microsegregation of HVDC Al-Si-Mg alloys with different Si contents(7%and 10%)and cooling rates during solidification.The grain number and average grain size with electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)analysis were used to verify the simulation.The relationship between grain size and nucleation order as well as nuclei density was investigated and discussed.It is found that the growth of grains will be restrained in the location with higher nuclei density.The influence of composition and cooling rate on the solute transport reveals that for AlSi7Mg0.3 alloy the concentration of solute Mg in liquid is higher at the beginning of eutectic solidification.The comparison between simulation and experiment results shows that externally solidified crystals(ESCs)have a significant effect for samples with high cooling rate and narrow solidification interval.     

Solidification behaviour of Al-7 %Si-Mg casting alloys

The effects of Mg content and cooling rate on the solidification behaviour of Al-7% Si-Mg(mass fraction)casting alloys have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis and microscopy. The Mg contents were selected as respectively 0.00%, 0.35% and 0. 70% (mass fraction). DTA curves of Al-7%Si-0.55%Mg(mass fraction) alloy at various cooling rates were accomplished and the alloy melt was cast in different cooling rates. The results indicate that increasing Mg content can lower the liquidus and binary Al-Si eutectic transformation temperatures. Large Fe-rich π-phases (AlsFeMg3Si6) are found in the 0.70% Mg alloys together with some small β-phases (Al5FeSi) ; in contrast, only β-phases are observed in the 0.35% Mg alloys. The test results of the Al-7%Si-0.55% Mg alloys identify that the liquidus and binary Al-Si eutectic transformation temperatures decrease, and the quantity of ternary Al-Si-Mg2 Si eutectic phase decreases as the cooling rate increases.     

An empirical analysis of trends in mechanical properties of T6 heat treated Al-Si-Mg casting alloys

The Al-Si-Mg family of alloys is typically used in the T6 heat treated condition for high integrity casting applications. There are several variables that can influence the tensile properties of these alloys besides the actual ageing treatment employed. These are alloy composition, particularly Mg and Fe content, and secondary dendrite arm spacing or SDAS. Tensile data from samples covering a wide range of Mg content (0.3–0.7%), Fe content (0.05–0.20%), SDAS (20–60 μn) and two ageing treatments (under- and peak-aged), have been collected and analysed empirically. Concise relationships have been determined for yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation to fracture in terms of one or more of the experimental variables. The observed trends are explained in terms of basic metallurgical principles and the predictive use of the empirically-determined equations is qualified. A comparison of experimentally determined properties and those calculated using the derived relationships highlights some important and clear trends.     

Evaluation of crucible and investment materials for lost wax investment casting of Ti and NiTi alloys

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the suitability of selected commercial ceramic crucibles for the investment casting of Ti6Al4V and NiTi alloys for jewellery purposes. A commercial vacuum tilt casting machine and a centrifugal casting machine were employed to cast the alloys in cold copper moulds or in refractory investment shells. The form filling of the shell and the crucible and investment reactions were assessed by microstructural investigation, chemical analysis and hardness profiles of the as cast items as a function of shell temperature. The reaction of the alloys strongly depended on the alloy, the crucible material, the coating of the crucibles and the temperature of the ceramic shell. Optimum results were achieved with yttria and yttria coated Al titanate crucibles for Ti6Al4V and NiTi alloys respectively. Improvement of the materials and process costs is necessary to allow the competitive casting of jewellery made from titanium alloys.     

提高TiAl基合金室温塑性的方法

TiAl基合金具有密度低、高温性能好等优点，但室温塑性低一直是阻碍TiAl基合金应用的重要原因。本文总结了TiAl基合金的室温塑性的主要影响因素，以及通过添加合金化元素、改善加工工艺等方法来控制显微组织、提高TiAl基金合金的室温塑性的研究进展。     

Influence of Fluidized Bed Quenching on the Mechanical Properties and Quality Index of T6 Tempered B319.2-Type Aluminum Alloys

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of fluidized sand bed (FB) quenching on the mechanical performance of B319.2 aluminum cast alloys. Traditional water and conventional hot air (CF) quenching media were used to establish a relevant comparison with FB quenching. Quality charts were generated using two models of quality indices to support the selection of material conditions on the basis of the proposed quality indices. The use of an FB for the direct quenching-aging treatment of B319.2 casting alloys yields greater UTS and YS values compared to conventional furnace quenched alloys. The strength values of T6 tempered B319 alloys are greater when quenched in water compared with those quenched in an FB or CF. For the same aging conditions (170°C/4h), the fluidized bed quenched-aged 319 alloys show nearly the same or better strength values than those quenched in water and then aged in a CF or an FB. Based on the quality charts developed for alloys subjected to different quenching media, higher quality index values are obtained by conventional furnace quenched-aged T6-tempered B319 alloys. The modification factor has the most significant effect on the quality results of the alloys investigated, for all heat treatment cycles, as compared to other metallurgical parameters. The results of alloys subjected to multi-temperature aging cycles reveal that the optimum strength properties of B319.2 alloys, however, is obtained by applying multi-temperature aging cycles such as, for example, 240 °C/2 h followed by 170 °C/8 h, rather than T6 aging treatments. The regression models indicate that the mean quality values of B319 alloys are highly quench sensitive due to the formation of a larger percent of clusters in Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys. These clusters act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for precipitation and enhance the aging process.     

Friction stir welding of aluminium casting alloys

The results of testing friction stir welding quality in relation to EN AC-43200 (AK9) and EN AC-45000 (AK64) aluminium casting alloys are presented. The test joints were made with the use of a welding machine constructed on the basis of numerically controlled milling machines. The assessment of the joint quality was made based on visual inspection, mechanical testing, weldment structure analysis and hardness tests. The purpose of the investigation was to discover the possibility of friction stir welding of casting alloys and the influence of welding conditions on joint properties and structure. The test results show good weldability of aluminium casting alloys by the FSW method. Sound welds can be obtained in a relatively wide range of welding parameters while the weld strength is satisfactory. In order to obtain the highest quality joints, the workpieces must be pressed onto the other, while the welding process cannot run with excessively high speed. The best mechanical properties of the joints were achieved when the friction process was conducted at a rotational speed of the mixing tool of 900 rpm.     

基于神经网络的压铸镁合金选材专家系统

采用神经网络方法建立快捷的压铸镁合金材料选择系统 ;提出了 1种通过分段函数将模糊性能要求模糊量化到各分段区间 ,增加训练样本集的方法     

Twin-roll strip casting of magnesium alloys in China

The development status of twin-roll strip casting for magnesium alloys in China was summarized as well as the new progress when several kinds of twin-roll strip casting technologies were developed and used.Horizontal twin-roll casting (HTRC) of magnesium alloys has attracted much attention and has been industrialized in China.Vertical twin roll casting(VTRC) of the magnesium alloys can reach a speed of higher than 30 m/min and its research and development are just beginning and exhibit exciting potential...     

Advanced casting technologies for lightweight automotive applications

This paper provides an overview of alloy and process developments in aluminum and magnesium castings for lightweight automotive applications.Wear-resistant aluminum alloys,creep-resistant and high strength/ductility magnesium alloys have been developed for automotive applications.On the process front,vacuum-assisted die casting and high vacuum die casting technologies have been developed for high-integrity body and chassis applications.Thin-wall and hollow casting components are being produced by low-pressure die casting processes for structural applications.Overcasting technology is gaining traction and has enabled mixed material designs for automotive sub-systems such as engine cradles and instrument panel beams.Simulation tools developed to predict the interfacial interactions of the dissimilar components and the structural integrity of the overcast systems are being validated in the casting trials.     

含有不同尺度量级第二相的高强铝合金拉伸延性模型

基于合金中不同尺度第二相在其断裂过程中的作用机制及位错理论 ,建立了高强铝合金中结晶相、沉淀相以及析出强化相性质与其拉伸延性间的多元非线性关系模型。结果表明对于 2 0 2 4铝合金的拉伸延性 ,该模型的预测值与相应的实验值吻合良好。同时借助于该模型的理论分析 ,可以得到在确保高强铝合金强度不降低的前提下提高其延性的优化方案。     

Selection of temper and Mg content to optimise the Quality Index of Al-7Si-Mg casting alloys

The extent to which the quality index,* Q, can be optimised through an adequate combination of Mg content and temper is discussed in the light of an analytical model relating Q to parameters of the flow curve. Published data describing the effect of DAS, Mg and Fe content and temper on the yield stress, tensile strength, ductility and quality index of experimental Al-7%Si-Mg alloys have been used for the analysis. The experimental data support the predictions of the analytical model which indicate that for a given temper there is a material strength that maximises Q. The results show that peak ageing can reduce Q in low ductility materials, also in agreement with the analytical model. Microstructural limits to the maximum attainable Q-value are discussed.