Microstructural Evaluation of Semi-Solid and Thixoformed Parts of LM28 Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

Attractive physical and mechanical properties of aluminum alloys make them very interesting for the automotive industry. The commercial way for manufacturing LM28 alloy is die-casting, but this process encounters several problems such as shrinkage and gas porosities. Their good mechanical properties and high resistance to wear are because of the presence of hard primary silicon particles distributed in the matrix. Therefore, the size and morphology of primary silicon and also the structure of α-Al particles in hypereutectic Al–Si alloys influence the mechanical properties of the alloys. In this research, a new process of manufacturing of this alloy has been developed using LM28 feedstock produced through cooling slope casting. The feedstocks produced via cooling slope casting had a partial globular structure that contained globules, rosettes and dendrites of α-Al. These feedstocks were thixoformed under three different pressures. The primary dendrites and rosettes changed to globular structure. The microstructure of thixoformed parts contained α-Al globules, small primary Si particles dispersed between these globules, and Al-Si eutectic phase. The mechanism of the formation of α-Al globules by this process was explained. Microstructures of as cast specimens, feedstocks produced via cooling slope, specimens that were heat treated in the semi-solid temperature and thixoformed specimens were studied with optical microscope and image analysis. The morphological changes during these processes were interpreted.