Abstract
The semisolid slurry of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was prepared through a self-designed water-cooled copper serpentine pouring channel (WSPC) machine. Influences of pouring temperature, the number of turns and the cooling water flow rate on the microstructure of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with satisfactory quality can be generated by the WSPC when the pouring temperature is in the range between 680 ºC and 700 ºC. At a given pouring temperature, the average grain size of primary α-Al decreases and the shape factor increases with the increase of the number of turns. When the cooling water flow rate is 450 L·h-1, the obtained semisolid slurry is optimal. During the preparation of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with low superheat pouring, the alloy melt has mixed inhibition and convection flow characteristics by “self-stirring”. When the alloy melt flows through the serpentine channel, the chilling effect of the inner wall of the channel, the convection and mixed inhibition of the alloy melt greatly promote the heterogeneous nucleation and grain segregation. This effect destroys the dendrite growth mode under traditional solidification conditions, and the primary nuclei gradually evolve into spherical or nearspherical grains.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Spencer D B, Mehrabian R, Flemings M C. Rheological behavior of Sn-15Pb in the crystallization range. Metallurgical Transactions, 1972, 3(7): 1925–1932.
Mao Weimin. Semisolid metal forming technology. Beijing: China Machine Press, 2004: 6–10. (In Chinese)
Haghayeghi R, Zoqui E J, Halvaee A, et al. An investigation on semisolid Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy produced by mechanical stirring, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2005, 169(3): 382–387.
Flemings M C. Behavior of metal alloys in the semisolid state. Metallurgical Transactions B, 1991: 22(3): 269–293.
Chen Xingrun, Zhang Zhifeng, Xu Jun. Effects of annular electromagnetic stirring processing parameters on semisolid slurry production. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2010, 20(3): 873–877.
Fan Z. Semisolid metal processing. International Materials Reviews, 2002, 47(2): 49–85.
Shulin Lü, Shusen Wu, Chong Lin, et al. Preparation and rheocasting of semisolid slurry of 5083 Al alloy with indirect ultrasonic vibration process. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2011, 528(29): 8635–8640.
Bai Kun, Hu Rui, Li Jinshan, et al. Grain Refinement of Ni-Cr-W Based Superalloy by Near Liquidus Casting. Rare Metal Materials and Engineering, 2014, 43(1): 1–5.
Xia K, Tausing G. Liquidus casting of a wrought aluminum alloy 2618 for thixoforming. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 1998, 246(1-2): 1–10.
Guo Hongmin, Yang Xiangjie, Wang Jiaxuan, et al. Effects of rheoforming on microstructures and mechanical properties of 7075 wrought aluminum alloy. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2014, 24(4): 954–960.
Liang Bo, Xu Jun, Zeng Yi Dan, et al. Studyonthe Microstructure Control of Aluminum Alloy Semi-solid slurry Prepared by MSMT Technology. Foundry Technology, 2008, 29(11):1518–1521.
Guo Hongmin, Yang Xiangjie, Luo Xuequan, et al. Effects of Angular Oscillation on Semi-solid Microstructure of A356 Aluminum Alloy. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2009, 19(12): 2106–2111.
Toshio H, Shinsuke S. Casting of aluminum alloy ingots for thixoforming using a cooling slope. Journal of materials processing technology, 2001, 118(1-3): 169–172.
Canyook R, Wanansin J, Wisuthmethangkul S, et al. Characterization of the microstructure evolution of a Semisolid metal slurry during the early stages. Acta Materialia, 2012, 60(8): 3501–3510.
Chen Zhengzhou, Mao Weimin, Wu Zongchuang. Influence of serpentine channel pouring process parameters on semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2011(5): 985–990.
Chen Zhengzhou, Mao Weimin, Wu Zongchuang. Mechanical properties and microstructures of Al alloy tensile samples produced by serpentine channel pouring rheo-diecasting process. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2011(7): 1473–1479.
Zhang Xinmeng, Mao Weimin, Zhu Wenzhi. Influence of Zn and Cu Contents on Hot Cracking Behavior and Microstructure of 7075 Aluminum Alloys. Special Casting & Nonferrous Alloys, 2014, 34(12): 1336–1339. (In Chinese)
Zhu Wenzhi, Mao Weimin, Yang Bin. Preparation of semisolid 7075 aluminum alloy slurry by serpentine pouring channel. Special Casting & Nonferrous Alloys, 2013, 33(2): 145–147. (In Chinese)
Zhu Wenzhi, Mao Weimin, Tu Q. Preparation of semisolid 7075 aluminum alloy slurry by serpentine pouring channel. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2014, 24(4): 954–960.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Wen-zhi Zhu Male, born in 1984, Ph.D., Lecturer. His research interests mainly focus on semisolid metal forming.
This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51701078), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 2018M632846 and 2018T110756) and the Scientific Research Program of Hubei Provincial Education Department (Grant No. B2016053).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhu, Wz., Mao, Wm., Wei, Qs. et al. Preparation of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy semisolid slurry through a water-cooled serpentine pouring channel. China Foundry 16, 31–39 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41230-019-8063-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41230-019-8063-4