Aluminum Silicon Casting Alloys Atlas Of Microstructures

This atlas provides an in-depth understanding of the metallurgy and fracture behavior of aluminum-silicon casting alloys, which are used in a wide variety of automotive, aerospace, and consumer product applications. The atlas includes over 300 high-definition microfractographs of fracture profiles and fracture surfaces, accompanied with detailed descriptions and analysis of the fracture features and their significance in the selection, processing, properties, and performance of the alloy. The microfractographs are described and classified according to criteria described in detail in the introductory chapters in the book. The factors determining the fracture mechanism in these alloys, on the basis of their physical and mechanical properties and fracture mechanics, are described and analyzed. The set of micrographs in this atlas include several unique features: classification according to the alloy and its processing history, detailed analysis of selected microregions of the fracture surface, reference of the fracture features to the phase constituents of the alloy, and high resolution and high microscopic magnification of the SEM images. This book will be of great value to anyone involved in the selection, processing, application, testing, or evaluation of aluminum-silicon castings. The target audience includes metallurgists, foundry personnel, failure analysts, purchasers of castings, researchers in physical and mechanical metallurgy, students, and educators.

Casting Aluminum Alloys summarizes research conducted at Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloy during many decades in part together with Alcoa Inc. The research covered areas of the structure, properties, thermal resistance, corrosion and fatigue of aluminum alloys in industrial manufacturing. Emphasis on interconnection among phase equilibria, thermodynamics and microstructure of alloys Systematic overview of all phase diagrams with Al that are important for the development of casting aluminium alloys Diagrams ("processing windows") of important technological properties such as castability, molten metal fluidity, tendency to hot pre-solidification cracking, porosity Mathematical models for alloy mechanical properties facilitating the down-selection of best prospect candidates for new alloy development New principles of design of eutectic casting aluminium alloys Examples of successful novel casting alloy development, including alloys for high-strength applications, alloys with transition metals, and novel alloys utilizing aluminium scrap

The continuing quest for aluminum castings with enhanced mechanical properties for applications in the automotive industries has intensified the interest in Al Si alloys. However, the commercial application of these materials depends on the control of the structure of the shape and distribution of the eutectic silicon particles in the matrix, as also by the intermetallics phases that occur upon solidification. Thus, the book was designed with the aim of understanding how alloying elements, trace elements, and heat treatment influence changes in the microstructure and, consequently, the performance of hypoeutectic and near-eutectic Al-Si alloys. Microstructural examination was carried out using optical microscopy, image analysis, and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), wavelength dispersive spectroscopic (WDS) analysis facilities. By examining the mechanical properties of Al-Si alloys in conjunction with microstructure this book provides a valuable description of the development and behaviour of these materials

Fluidity of casting alloys is defined as the ability of molten metal to fill mold cavity completely. In this research, fluidity of aluminum alloy grade AC2B, AC4CH, AC4B, AC9A, ADC12, and ADC14 was measured using reducing vacuum technique. Other parameters such as tube materials (copper, stainless steel, and quartz), tube diameters (from 2 mm to 6 mm), applied suction pressure (from 1.33 to 95 kPa), and degree of superheat (from 0 to 120 K) are investigated. Fluidity length of every alloy and condition varies linearly with the square root of suction pressure. Alloys with high silicon content exhibit higher fluidity. Effective suction pressure, defined as applied suction pressure minus gravity and surface energy terms, varies linearly with fluidity. Theoretical analysis indicates that the surface energy can be calculated from the experiments by fitting with curves which pass through the origin. Minimum applied suction pressure required to suck the liquid was calculated and is in the range from 40 to 200 Pa depending on the type of alloys. Microstructure of solidified specimen in the tubes was observed and agrees with the fine channel flow mechanism proposed earlier by Flemings.

This book details aluminum alloys with special focus on the aluminum silicon (Al‐Si) systems – that are the most abundant alloys second only to steel. The authors include a description of the manufacturing principles, thermodynamics, and other main characteristics of Al‐Si alloys. Principles of processing, testing, and in particular applications in the Automotive, Aeronautical and Aerospace fields are addressed.