Effect of Co on Solidification Characteristics and Microstructural Transformation of Nonequilibrium Solidified Cu-Ni Alloys

Abstract

Non-equilibrium solidification structures of Cu55Ni45 and Cu55Ni43Co2 alloys were prepared by the molten glass purification cycle superheating method. The variation of the recalescence phenomenon with the degree of undercooling in the rapid solidification process was investigated using an infrared thermometer. The addition of the Co element affected the evolution of the recalescence phenomenon in Cu-Ni alloys. The images of the solid-liquid interface migration during the rapid solidification of supercooled melts were captured by using a high-speed camera. The solidification rate of Cu-Ni alloys, with the addition of Co elements, was explored. Finally, the grain refinement structure with low supercooling was characterised using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The effect of Co on the microstructural evolution during non-equilibrium solidification of Cu-Ni alloys under conditions of small supercooling is investigated by comparing the microstructures of Cu55Ni45 and Cu55Ni43Co2 alloys. The experimental results show that the addition of a small amount of Co weakens the recalescence behaviour of the Cu55Ni45 alloy and significantly reduces the thermal strain in the rapid solidification phase. In the rapid solidification phase, the thermal strain is greatly reduced, and there is a significant increase in the characteristic undercooling degree. Furthermore, the addition of Co and the reduction of Cu not only result in a lower solidification rate of the alloy, but also contribute to the homogenisation of the grain size.

Keywords

non-equilibrium solidification / recalescence effect / solidification character / microstructure

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