Dendrite coherency during equiaxed solidification in binary aluminum alloys

Dendrite coherency, or dendrite impingement, is important to the formation of the solidification structure and castability of alloys. Dendrite coherency in the systems Al-xMn, Al-xCu, Al-xFe, and Al-xSi(x = 0 to 5 wt pct) has been studied by continuous torque measurement in solidifying samples. The fraction solid at the dendrite coherency point, fs*, varies with the alloy system and the solute concentration in the alloy, from 18 to 56 pct for the present alloys investigated. An increase in solute concentration decreases the coherency fraction solid,fs*. An alloy system with a large slope of the liquidus line has a high coherency fraction solid. A theoretical approach has been developed to account for the effects of the alloy system and solute concentration on the dendrite coherency in the alloy. The grain sizes of the alloys were evaluated using the parameters at coherency point.