A И-Shaped Curve of Hot Tearing Susceptibility in Magsimal®-59-Based Alloys

The hot tearing susceptibility of Al-6Mg-xSi (x = 0-6.0 wt.%) alloys was studied using constrained rod casting. Addition of Si content resulted in double ternary eutectic reactions and then changed the freezing range and eutectic liquid fraction greatly, which made the hot tearing susceptibility show a И-curve with the increasing of Si content. The И-curve was obviously different from the λ-curve that supported by most researchers.

Hot Tearing Evaluation and Contraction Behaviors of Four AA7xxx Alloys

The hot tearing susceptibilities (HTS) of some AA7×××alloys, AA7050, AA7055, AA7085 and AA7022 were evaluated with constrained rod casting (CRC). Thermal contraction behaviors during solidification were measured as well in a T-shaped setup. The results showed that alloys with HTS from high to low were AA7055, AA7085, AA7050 and AA7022. Zn content in 7××× aluminum alloys seemed to play a major role with respect to the HTS index. Remarkable differences could be seen on thermal contraction behaviors within solidification range for each alloy. The rate and amount of thermal contraction for AA7055 was most prominent, followed by AA7085 and AA7050, while contraction curve of AA7022 was very flat together with least amount of thermal contraction. There was a well consistency between the amount of thermal contraction and HTS. Despite complex interactions of many variables in the formation of hot tear, thermal contraction behaviors within solidification range could give a quick evaluation of hot tearing susceptibility.

Influences of Y Additions on the Hot Tearing Susceptibility of Mg-1.5wt.%Zn Alloys

The influences of Y (0.2, 2 and 4 wt.%) additions on the hot tearing behaviour of Mg‑1.5Zn alloys were investigated using a constrained rod casting (CRC) apparatus equipped with a load cell and data acquisition system. The initiation of hot tearing was monitored during CRC experiments. It corresponds to a drop in load on the hot tearing curves. The experimental results indicate that, the hot tearing susceptibility defined by the total crack volume, which was measured by the wax penetration method, decreases with increasing the content of Y at a mould temperature of 250 °C. The reduced susceptibility is attributed to the effect of Y on the solidification behaviour: it shortens the freezing range and reduces the grain size. The highest susceptibility is observed for Mg-1.5Zn-0.2Y alloy. It is caused by its coarse microstructure and relatively larger solidification range. In contrast, the lowest susceptibility is observed for Mg-1.5Zn-4Y alloy with a small equiaxed grain microstructure. In addition, the healing of hot cracks by the subsequent refilling of the remained liquid at the later stage of solidification is also beneficial for the alleviation of hot tearing susceptibility in Mg-1.5Zn-4Y alloy.

Hot Tearing Susceptibility and Fluidity of Semi-Solid Gravity Cast Al-Cu Alloy

Aluminum-copper alloys offer both high strength and excellent ductility suitable for a number of automotive applications to reduce vehicle weight; however, the alloys are difficult to cast because of their tendency for hot tearing. In this work, semi-solid gravity casting of an aluminum-copper alloy, B206, was conducted in constrained rod casting molds to study the feasibility of using the process to reduce or eliminate hot tearing. To demonstrate the feasibility of gravity casting of the metal slurries, a fluidity test was also conducted. Results show that the hot tearing susceptibility of the aluminum-copper B206 alloy cast in semi-solid state is lower than those cast in liquid state with high superheat temperatures. The grain size of the semi-solid cast Al-Cu samples appears to be finer than those cast in liquid state with high superheat temperatures. In addition, the metal slurries had sufficient fluidity to fill the molds even with low gravity pressures. The results suggest that semi-solid gravity casting is a feasible process to help reduce hot tearing.

Hot Cracking Susceptibility of Ternary Mg-Al-Ca Alloys

Hot cracking of ternary Mg-Al-Ca alloys in permanent mold casting was studied. The alloys are the base of some potential creep-resistant Mg alloys. The Mg-xAl-yCa alloys included Mg-4Al-1Ca, Mg-4Al-2Ca, Mg-4Al-3Ca, Mg-4Al-4Ca, Mg-5Al-3Ca, and Mg-6Al-3Ca. Constrained-rod casting was conducted with a steel mold. Rods were cast with their ends enlarged to act as anchors, which kept the rods from free contraction and thus induced tension in the rods to cause cracking during solidification. The susceptibility to hot cracking was evaluated based on both the widths and locations of cracks in the resultant castings. Both binary Mg-4Al and commercial alloy AZ91E, which is known to have a low susceptibility to hot cracking, were also included for comparison. It was found that within the composition range studied, the crack susceptibility decreased significantly with increasing Ca content (y) but did not change much with the Al content (x).