Analysis of crystallization kinetics of cast aluminum–silicon alloy

Abstract

Light alloys like aluminum and its alloys have excellent physical and mechanical properties for a number of applications. The use of aluminum alloys can significantly decrease the mass of automobiles without decreasing structural strength. Therefore, the reason of this work was to determine the optimal cooling rate values, to achieve good mechanical properties for protection of this aluminum cast alloy from losing their work stability, and to make it more resistant to action in hard working conditions. The carried out investigations have allow to found that changes in the cooling rate do not cause changes in the phase composition, revealing the Al2Cu and Al5FeSi phase especially, but only changes the morphology of α + β eutectic as well as the particle size and secondary dendrite arm spacing. As a result, the number of fine crystals in per unit volume increases, leading to a fine grain structure, which influences the recalescence temperature. The purpose of this research work is to investigate the thermo-derivative interdependencies occurred in analyzed aluminum cast alloys using Universal Metallurgical Simulator and Analyzer. For the investigation, the cast AlSi9Cu aluminum alloy was used. As a result of this research, the cooling rate influence on the structure and mechanical properties changes was investigated. The cooling rate was set in a variable range of 0.16–1.25 °C s−1, where the cooling rate of 0.16 °C s−1 corresponds to freely cooling, without any forced air flow.