Microstructure and Properties of Semisolid A356 Alloy Strip Affected by Nozzle Temperature of a Novel Micro Fused-Casting

Abstract

The semisolid A356 alloy strip was prepared by a novel continuous micro fused-casting process. The microstructure evolution and mechanical property of A356 aluminum alloy strip with different nozzle temperatures were investigated. The nozzle temperature had great influences on the microstructure and property primarily accompanied with the crystal change in the fused-casting area through the cooling conditions. The results showed that the semisolid A356 alloy strip samples fabricated by micro fused-casting demonstrated good performances and uniform structures with the nozzle temperature at 593 °C and the stirring velocity at 700 r/min. The fine grains of the primary α-Al phase with average grain size of 51 µm and shape factor up to 0.71 were obtained under the micro fused-casting process, and the ultimate average vickers hardness came up to 83.39±0.89 HV, and the tensile strength and elongation of the A356 alloy strip reached 245.32 MPa and 7.85%, respectively.

Keywords

semisolid / A356 aluminum alloy / nozzle temperature / micro fused-casting