Microstructures and constituents of super-high strength aluminum alloy ingots made through LFEC process

Ingots of a new super-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy were produced respectively by low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and by conventional direct chill (DC) casting process. Microstructure and constituents of the ingots were studied. The results indicated that the LFEC process significantly refines microstructure and constituents of the alloy, and to some extent, decreases the area (or volume) fraction of constituents and eutectic structure precipitated at grain boundaries. But, no difference in the type of constituents was observed between LFEC and DC ingots. The results also showed LFEC process can improve the as-cast mechanical properties.