Enhanced Fluidity of ZL205A Alloy with the Combined Addition of Al–Ti–C and La

The effects of Al–Ti–C and La on the fluidity of a ZL205A alloy after separate and combined addition were studied by conducting a fluidity test. The fluidity of the ZL205A alloy first increased and then decreased with the increasing addition of Al–Ti–C and La; it peaked at 0.3% and 0.1% for Al–Ti–C and La, respectively. The combined addition of Al–Ti–C and La led to better fluidity, which increased by 74% compared with the base alloy. The affecting mechanism was clarified through microstructure characterization and a DSC test. The heterogeneous nucleation aided by Al–Ti–C and La, the number of particles in the melt, and the evolution of the solidification range all played a role. Based on the evolution of the fluidity and grain size, the optimal levels of Al–Ti–C and La leading to both high fluidity and small grain size were identified.

Study on Linear Segregation of ZL205A Alloy

Linear segregation of high strength aluminum alloy ZL205A castings were studied by X-ray Nondestructive testing, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer. It is found that the linear segregation occurs at the large wall thickness of the casting and/or at the place where the wall thickness is in transition. Segregation element is mainly Cu, which exists as compound θ (Al2Cu) phase. The formation of linear segregation is related to the flow of Cu-rich melt in the late solidification period, while the occurrence of thermal cracks promotes the formation of linear segregation. The formation of linear segregation of the casting can be effectively prevented by eliminating hot spots of the casting, refining crystal grains and increasing solidification speed of the casting.

Effect of Micro-Scale Er on the Microstructure and Fluidity of ZL205A Alloy

The effect of Er addition on the fluidity and microstructure transformation of the as-cast and T5 heat-treated ZL205A alloys was investigated by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The fluidity of the liquid metal after adding Er was tested and the fracture characteristics of the material were analyzed. The results indicated that Er was mainly dissolved into an α–Al matrix near the grain boundaries (GBs). It is easily segregated and enriched in the intersection of the GBs or the interface between the α and θ phase, which caused the intermetallic compounds to be distributed along the GBs to the neck and to fuse. Er could also inhibit the diffusion of Cu atoms in the process of solid solution, so that increased the residual eutectic structures in the crystal, while accelerating the precipitation progress of the Guinier–Preston (GP) zone and θ’ phase and increasing precipitation of the θ phase. A small amount of precipitation of θ phase and micro-scale Er (0.1–0.5 wt %) can significantly increase the fluidity and reduce the casting defects, which can effectively improve the castability of the ZL205A alloy. The interface between the (Al8Cu4Er) phase and matrix is the main area of microcracks, through analyzing the fracture morphology.

Effect of Equal Channel Angular Pressing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZL205A Alloy

The evolution of microstructure of ZL205A alloy during equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) by route A at room temperature was investigated by OM, SEM and XRD, and the hardness of cast and heat treatment alloy from different strain were tested. The results showed that the grain of cast alloy were obviously refined, the massive q phase along the grain boundary were crushed, and prompts the distribution of q streamline after one pass through ECAP. After two passes of ECAP, the distribution of q phase is more uniform. After heat treatment through ECAP, the grains were also obviously refined, and elongated in axial direction, which also prompts the distribution of q streamline. The hardness was significantly improved after ECAP. The hardness of cast alloy increases from 65HV to 132HV after two passes, and that of heat treatment alloy increases from 112HV to 198HV. With the increase of extrusion passes, the number of dimples gradually increased and evenly distributed, the depth of dimples was of a similar level, and the distribution of precipitated phase is more uniform.

Study on the Microstructure and Properties of ZL205A Alloy under Partial Remelting Treatment

In this paper, effects of partial remelting treatment on microstructure and properties of ZL205A alloy were studied in detail. The results show that the grain size of ZL205A alloy decreases at different degree. The grain size increases first and then decreases with increasing of returns content. The average grain size of the primary ZL205A alloy was measured to be about 60 μm, and the good result can be got of the ZL205A alloys with the average particle size of α (Al) phase being about 33 μm after adding 20wt.% returns. The ZL205A alloy with 20 wt.% returns has a considerably high tensile strength and yield strength of 525MPa and 445 MPa, respectively, which is much higher than 501 MPa and 421 MPa of primary ZL205A alloy, meanwhile the elongation level is up to14%.