Effect of Holding Pressure on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of A356 Aluminum Alloy

Journal Article · Thu Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2018 · Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S11665-017-2920-3· OSTI ID:22860676

Xiaoyan, Wu; Huarui, Zhang; Zhen, Ma; Lina, Jia; Hu, Zhang ^[1]

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1. Beihang University, School of Materials Science and Engineering (China)

In this study, the effect of holding pressure on microstructure and mechanical properties of low-pressure die cast A356 aluminum alloy was investigated. The results showed that the application of high holding pressure (300 kPa) generated castings with denser structure and superior mechanical properties. By increasing the holding pressure up to 300 kPa, the size of secondary dendrite arm spacing greatly reduced by 22.7% at the cooling rate of 1°C/s and decreased by 12.8% at 10°C/s. The Feret’s diameter and aspect ratio of eutectic silicon particles decreased by 8.4 and 5.1% at the cooling rate of 1°C/s and decreased by 9.3 and 6.4% at 10°C/s, respectively. Meanwhile, the density of A356 aluminum alloy increased to 2.678 g/cm{sup 3} and the area fraction of porosity decreased to 0.035%. Thus, tensile properties of A356 aluminum alloy obtained at high holding pressure were enhanced, especially the ductility. All these could be associated with the better filling capability and faster cooling rate caused by high holding pressure. In the analytical range of experimental conditions, the correlation of mechanical properties with process parameters was established by statistical models to predict the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of low-pressure die cast A356 aluminum alloy.

• OSTI ID: 22860676
• Journal Information: Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 27; ISSN 1059-9495; ISSN JMEPEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ASPECT RATIO
CASTING
CASTINGS
COOLING
DENDRITES
DUCTILITY
EUTECTICS
MICROSTRUCTURE
POROSITY
SILICON
STATISTICAL MODELS