Abstract

A new mixing technology that explores an integration of ultrahigh shearing with gas injection, directly into the mixer shear zone, has been applied to molten aluminum alloys. The refining and homogenizing effects were assessed through microscopic observations of solidified structures. For the set of process parameters applied, the ultrahigh shear alone caused structural refinement, which doubled the sole effect of gas flotation. Combining ultrahigh shear with gas injection magnified the structural refinement, which substantially exceeded the individual effects, caused by gas flotation and ultrahigh shearing. In addition to matrix grain-size reduction by almost two orders of magnitude, the complex intermetallic compounds, being inherently coarse in conventional castings, were also refined. The results confirmed our earlier observations made through transparent media that an interaction of large volume of fine gas bubbles with the liquid, superimposed on ultrahigh shear, leading to intensive cavitation, generated in the cylindrical rotor–stator apparatus, drastically enhanced the treatment outcome.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.