Microstructure of Al/Al bimetallic composites by lost foam casting with Zn interlayer

ABSTRACT

A novel method named the lost foam casting (LFC) liquid–liquid compound process with a Zn interlayer was proposed to prepare the Al/Al bimetallic composites, and the microstructure of the Al/Al bimetallic composites was investigated in the present work. The results showed that the Al/Al bimetallic composites were successfully produced using the novel process. The Zn interlayer prevented different liquid metals from directly mixing. A uniform and compact metallurgical interface was obtained between the Al and the A356 aluminium alloy, which consisted of the η-Zn, α-Al rich, α + η eutectoid, and primary silicon phases. The microhardness of the interface layer was significantly higher in comparison with those of the Al and A356 matrixes.

KEYWORDS:

• Lost foam casting
• aluminium alloys
• bimetallic composites
• microstructure
• interface

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51204124), the State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, HUST (Grant No. P2015-09) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, China (Grant No. 2017CFB488).