Tensile properties of the semi-solid state in solidifying aluminum alloys

Abstract

Hot tearing is one of the most serious defects encountered in aluminum alloy castings. During solidification of aluminum alloys, the localized region of solidified alloys is submitted to thermally induced strains that can be lead to severe solidification defects, such as shrinkage porosity and hot tearing. The forma tion of hot tearing is related to the development of local stress or thermal strains. It is such a complicated phe nomenon that a full understanding has not been achieved yet, though it has been extensively investigated for decades. Therefore, in order to further understand this complicated phenomenon and establish the mathe matical models of hot tearing, it is necessary to obtain the accurate mechanical property data in the mushy zone of alloys. In response to the demand for this purpose, a newly experimental apparatus has been used to perform tensile measurements of aluminum alloys during solidification. Therefore, the tensile properties measurements of the mushy zone in A356 alloy have been carried out. The fracture surfaces and microstruc tures of the hot tearing samples have been examined by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the yield stresses are increasing with the increase of the solid fraction. When the solid fraction is close to one, they will keep stable to a certain value. According to the analysis, the yield stresses will change with the evolution of solid fraction, which is in accordance with the Boltzmann Function.

Design and application of a multichannel “cross” hot tearing tendency device: A study on hot tearing tendency of Al alloys

“…The experimental result was consistent with the numerical simulation according to the Clyne-Davies model. Xu et al [11,14] developed an active-load device to determine the effect of casting conditions on the hot tearing tendency of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys, and summarized a hot cracking criterion based on the nominal yield stress. The numerical simulation technique was used to simulate the casting process of alloys and predict defects effectively [15][16][17][18] .…”