Variation of microstructure and mechanical property of slurry die cast Al-Si-Mg-Fe alloy

Abstract

Semi-solid metal processing technologies have been intensively studied in recent years. Gas Induced Semi-Solid (GISS) is a slurry preparation technique for producing non-dendritic or globular structures for cast alloys. In the present study, GISS technique was used in conjunction with conventional die cast process for casting Al–Si–Mg–Fe alloy. The shape of die cast specimen was designed as a simple flat plate. The variation of microstructures and tensile properties of specimens from different locations of cast plates was studied. The results show that the specimens from bottom location, near the gate section and the middle location of cast plates are stronger and more ductility than those from the top location. The microstructural examination reveals that the specimens from top location of cast plates contain more defects, such as shrinkage pores than those from the other locations. These defects are resulted in lower strength and ductility of the cast product.

Keywords:

• Semi-solid
• SSM
• GISS
• die casting
• Al alloys
• AC4C

Acknowledgment

I would like to thank the PSU Department of Mining and Materials Engineering.