Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The undercooling of aluminum

  • Published:
Metallurgical Transactions A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An important parameter affecting microstructure development during solidification is the amount of undercooling prior to nucleation. The undercooling potential of aluminum has been assessed by thermal analysis measurements on powder dispersions of the liquid metal. A number of variables have been identified which influence the undercooling of powder Al samples including powder coating, powder size, melt cooling rate, and melt superheat. Surface analysis by Auger electron spectroscopy indicates that changing the medium in which the powders are produced is an effective method of altering the coating chemistry. Factorial design analysis has been employed to quantify the potential of processing variables to increase the undercooling level obtainable in aluminum. The factorial analysis indicates that control of the powder coating through changing the medium in which the powders are produced is most effective in decreasing the nucleation temperature. Additionally, the finest powders produced in the medium which induces the least catalytic coating, when cooled at high rates,T = 500 °C/s, from low superheats,T s = 710 °C, are found to achieve the deepest undercooling, ΔT = 175 °C. These studies provide the basis for further increases in undercooling and for future investigations into the solidification reactions which produce both stable and metastable structures in aluminum alloys.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. Cohen, B. H. Kear, and R. Mehrabian: inRapid Solidification Processing: Principles and Technologies II, R. Mehrabian, B.H. Kear, and M. Cohen, eds., Claitor’s Pub., Baton Rouge, LA, 1980, pp. 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  2. H. Jones and C. Suryanarayana:J. Mat. Sci., 1973, vol. 8, pp. 705–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. W. J. Boettinger, D. Shechtman, R. J. Schaefer, and F. S. Biancaniello:Metall. Trans. A, 1984, vol. 15A, pp. 55–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. M. H. Burden and H. Jones:J. lnst. Metals, 1970, vol. 98, pp. 249–52.

    Google Scholar 

  5. C. G. Levi and R. Mehrabian:Metall. Trans. A, 1982, vol. 13A, pp. 221–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. J. H. Perepezko: inRapid Solidification Processing: Principles and Technologies II, R. Mehrabian, B. H. Kear, and M. Cohen, eds., Claitor’s Pub., Baton Rouge, LA, 1980, pp. 56–67.

    Google Scholar 

  7. J. H. Perepezko and J. S. Paik: inProc. 29’h Midwest Solid State Conf.: Novel Materials and Techniques in Condensed Matter, M. Blander, D. Karim, G. Crabtree, and P. Vashishta, eds., North Holland, New York, NY, 1982, pp. 57–88.

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. H. Perepezko, B. A. Mueller, J. J. Richmond, and K. P. Cooper: inRapidly Quenched Metals, S. Steeb and H. Warlimont, eds.,Elsevier Science Pub. B. V., 1985, pp. 43–46.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. J. H. Perepezko and I.E. Anderson: inSynthesis and Properties of Metastable Phases, T.J. Rowland and E.S. Machlin, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1980, pp. 31–63.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. J. Richmond, J. H. Perepezko, S. E. LeBeau, and K. P. Cooper: inRapid Solidification Processing: Principles and Technologies III, R. Mehrabian, ed., NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, 1982, pp. 90–95.

    Google Scholar 

  11. J. H. Perepezko, S. E. Lebeau, B. A. Mueller, and G. J. Hildeman: inASTM Conference on Rapidly Solidified Powder Aluminum Alloys, M. E. Fine and E. A. Starke, Jr., eds., ASTM-STP 890, Philadelphia, PA, 1985, pp. 118-36.

  12. G. E. P. Box, W. G. Hunter, and J. S. Hunter:Statistics for Experimenters, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  13. G. J. Hildeman: private communication, Alcoa Technical Center, 1984.

  14. B. A. Mueller: Ph. D. Thesis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1986.

  15. S. E. LeBeau: Ph. D. Thesis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1982.

  16. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 64th ed., CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, FL, 1983.

  17. S. Ingrey and J. P. D. Cook:Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc, 1986, vol. 54, pp. 699–704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. G. J. Hildeman, D. J. Lege, and A. K. Vasudévan: inHigh-Strength Powder Metallurgy Aluminum Alloys, M.J. Koczak and G. J. Hildeman, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1982, pp. 249–76.

    Google Scholar 

  19. B. A. Mueller and J. H. Perepezko: inAluminum Alloys-Their Phys. and Mech. Props., E.A. Starke, Jr. and T.H. Sanders, Jr., eds., Advisory Services Ltd., U.K., 1986, pp. 201–16.

    Google Scholar 

  20. N. Draper and H. Smith:Applied Regression Analysis, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  21. J.A. Marcantonio and L. F. Mondolfo:Metall. Trans., 1974, vol. 5, pp. 1325–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. D. Turnbull:J. Appl. Phys., 1950, vol. 21, pp. 1022–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. J. H. Perepezko, D. H. Rasmussen, I. E. Anderson, and C. R. Loper, Jr.: inSolidification and Casting of Metals, The Metals Society, London, 1979, pp. 169–74.

    Google Scholar 

  24. R. Hultgren, P. D. Desai, D. T. Hawkins, M. Gleiser, K. K. Kelley, and D. D. Wagman:Selected Values of Thermodynamic Properties of the Elements, ASM International, Metals Park, OH, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  25. N. Eustathopoulos, L. Coudurier, J. C. Joud, and P. Desre:J. Crystal Growth, 1976, vol. 33, pp. 105–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. J. P. Hirth:Metall. Trans. A, 1978, vol. 9A, pp. 401–04.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. D. Turnbull:Acta Metall., 1953, vol. 1, pp. 8–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. W. J. Boettinger, L. Bendersky, and J. G. Early:Metall. Trans. A, vol. 17A, 1986, pp. 781–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Battelle Laboratories, 43201-2693, Columbus, OH

    B. A. Mueller

  2. Department of Metallurgical and Mineral Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1509 University Avenue, 53706, Madison, WI

    J. H. Perepezko (Professor)

Authors
  1. B. A. Mueller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. H. Perepezko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Formerly Research Assistant in the Department of Metallurgical and Mineral Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mueller, B.A., Perepezko, J.H. The undercooling of aluminum. Metall Trans A 18, 1143–1150 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02668565

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02668565

Search

Navigation