Linear solidification contraction of binary and commercial aluminium alloys

Abstract

Linear contraction in the solidification range is a principal characteristic for the understanding and modelling of hot tearing, macro-segregation and contraction behaviour.

The developed technique allowed us to measure the linear contraction (shrinkage) in the solidification range of binary and commercial wrought aluminium alloys. It was shown that the linear shrinkage depends on the composition, as-cast structure, and applied force. The solidification behaviour and the volume solidification shrinkage were simulated. The linear contraction starts at temperatures close to the solidus of an alloy when the volume fraction of solid ranges from 85 to 95%.

Keywords:

• linear contraction
• macrosegregation
• hot tearing
• solidification range