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Analysis of annealing on the micro-porosity and ductility of squeeze-casted Al7050 alloy for the structural applications

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Abstract

Squeeze casting has emerged as an attractive alternative for the casting of aluminum alloys to boost the mechanical and microstructural attributes. However, the alloys practiced in structural applications where ductility is considered a key characteristic, additional heat treatment processes are opted after casting. Considering the industrial applications of Al7050, the current study focused on manufacturing defect-free casting for structural applications. For this purpose, three key process variables including squeeze pressure (SP), melt temperature (MT) and die temperature (DT) have been preferred to improve the percentage elongation, ultimate tensile strength and hardness with minimal casting defects. Annealing treatment is preferred to further advance the ductile behavior of the squeeze-casted Al7050 alloy. Among different process variables, SP has a significant contribution in raising the mechanical properties followed by MT and DT. Taguchi-based Grey relational analysis (GRA) has been used to attain the optimal level of input parameters (SP = 135 MPa, MT, 740 °C and DT = 240 °C) for the superior microstructural and mechanical attributes simultaneously. Microstructural investigations revealed that application of high SP and DT with reasonable MT significantly improved the grain structure and minimized the typical casting defects including micro-voids, porosity and shrinkage cavities. Annealing treatment has been observed productive for improving ductility and reducing the casting defects specifically micro-porosity.

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Abbreviations

SP:

Squeeze pressure

MT:

Melt temperature

DT:

Die temperature

UTS:

Ultimate tensile strength

EL:

Percentage elongation

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

GRA:

Grey relational analysis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, 54890, Pakistan

    Nadeem Ahmad Mufti, Moiz ul Islam & Muhammad Asad Ali

  2. Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

    Muhammad Huzaifa Raza

  3. Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Al-Yamamah University, Riyadh, 11512, Saudi Arabia

    Naveed Ahmed

Authors
  1. Nadeem Ahmad Mufti
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  2. Moiz ul Islam
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  3. Muhammad Asad Ali
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  4. Muhammad Huzaifa Raza
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Correspondence to Muhammad Huzaifa Raza.

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Mufti, N.A., Islam, M.u., Ali, M.A. et al. Analysis of annealing on the micro-porosity and ductility of squeeze-casted Al7050 alloy for the structural applications. Archiv.Civ.Mech.Eng 22, 107 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43452-022-00428-2

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