Papers by Author: Nurşen Saklakoğlu

Abstract: Thixoforming and related semi-solid processing (SSP) methods require thixotropic materials. One of the many SSP techniques is the cooling slope (CS) casting process, which is simple and has minimal equipment requirements, and which is able to produce feedstock materials for semisolid processing. When the feedstock is reheated to the semisolid temperature range, non-dendritic, spheroidal solid particles in a liquid matrix suitable for thixoforming are obtained. In this study, equipment for the CS technique was first established, and then the effects of the pouring temperature and inclined slope angle on the microstructures of A380 aluminum alloy (ISOAlSi8Cu3Fe) were studied. Optimum parameters for thixoforming experiments were selected, and it was found that the microstructure produced by the inclined plate depended on its angle and the pouring temperature.

Abstract: In this study, A380 aluminum alloy feedstock produced with cooling slope casting was exposed to isothermal treatment to obtain a globular microstructure which is a key feature for semisolid forming. The dendritic primary phase in the conventionally cast A380 alloy has readily transformed into a non-dendritic one in ingots cast over a cooling plate from pouring temperatures between 615, 630 and 650 °C. After the casting process, isothermal treatment was carried out at 565 °C in induction unit. Isothermal treatment yields a globular microstructure. To determine the tribological properties of this alloy, a pin-on-disc tribometer was used to carry out tribological tests under dry sliding conditions. The results showed that both cooling slope casting and isothermal treatment has an effect on tribological properties.

Abstract: Owing to its superior flow and mould-filling capability, a fully globular structure is essential for semisolid processing technologies. The present work was undertaken to identify the cooling slope casting process parameters that, upon heating to the semisolid state, gives the required globular structure for the ETIAL 160 alloy. Of the two pouring temperatures investigated, 605 °C and 615 °C, the lower pouring temperature was found to provide more globular grains surrounded by liquid phases.