Papers by Author: Zheng Liu

Abstract: Based on the green and saving concept, a complex process preparing semisolid alloy slurry was developed, which was composed of the low superheat pouring and low frequency electromagnetic stirring. The semisolid A356-La slurry was prepared by the complex process, and the microstructure of the semisolid A356-La alloy was researched under the different preparing parameters in the complex process, such as the pouring temperature, electromagnetic stirring frequency, stirring time and micro-addition of La. The results indicated that it was feasible to reduce the addition of La and consumption of energy during the preparation of semisolid alloy slurry by optimizing the preparing parameters in the complex process. The suitable preparing parameters were obtained by the experiment, in which the pouring temperature was 630 °C, the frequency of electromagnetic stirring was 30 Hz, and the stirring time was 8 s. When semisolid A356 alloy slurry added 0.3 wt% La was prepared by the suitable preparing parameters in the complex process, the refining effects on microstructure in the semisolid A356-0.3La alloy was indistinguishable with that of the conventional addition amount of 0.6 wt% La in semisolid A356 alloy prepared by low superheat pouring.

Abstract: The refining effects of La-Ce binary alloy on the primary α phase in semisolid A356 alloy prepared by electromagnetically stirred were researched, in which the refinement mechanism of the binary alloy on primary α phase were emphatically approached. The different amount of La-Ce was added into A356 melt, the melt was poured at 620°C and slightly electromagnetically stirred for 15s with an electromagnetic stirrer which was controlled by frequency conversion, then it was isothermally held at 615°C for 10min. The shape and size of primary α phase were measured, and the distribution of La and Ce was researched by SEM and EDS. The results indicated that the RE elements were easy to uniformly distribute around the primary α phase under electromagnetic stirring, and had the obvious refining effect on primary α phase in semisolid A356 alloy, in which there was the finer primary α phase with particle-like in the melt. The refinement mechanism of La-Ce binary alloy under electromagnetic stirring was concerned with the eutectic reaction between RE elements and Al in the melt, in which the α-Al phase resulted from the Al-RE eutectic reaction could serve as the nucleating site of the primary α phase during solidification of A356 alloy. The other reactant from the Al-RE eutectic reaction, Al₁₁Ce₃, was also directly used as nucleation of α phase during the solidification.

Abstract: Semisolid A356 alloy was prepared by low superheat pouring, and evolution of primary phase morphology in semisolid A356 alloy during isothermal holding was characterized by fractal theory. The results indicated that the primary phase morphology in the alloy had fractal character, and the evolution of the primary phase morphology in the alloy could be characterized by fractal dimension. The primary phase morphology at the different isothermal holding temperature and holding time had the different fractal dimension, which meant the effect of processing conditions on the morphology in the alloy. Solidification of the alloy was a course of change in fractal dimension.

Abstract: Mg2Si particle reinforced hypereutectic Al-Si composite was prepared by casting, and the microstructure and wear resistance of the composite were researched. The results indicated that the morphology of Mg2Si obviously changed with Mg2Si contents increasing, in which the morphology of Mg2Si in the composite had changed from polygon block to characters like and finally became coarse dendrite. There were effects of Mg2Si content and morphology on the wear resistance in the composite, which had the higher hardness and better wear resistance at the suitable Mg2Si content.

Abstract: Mg2Si reinforced hypereutectic Al-Si composite was prepared and the effects of electro- magnetic stirring on Mg2Si particle in the composite were researched. The results indicated that there were the important effects of electromagnetic stirring on size and morphology of the particle in the composite. The morphology and size of the particle in the composite were obviously improved by electromagnetic stirring. In comparison with the sample without isothermal holding, the size of the particle isothermally held slightly increased under the same stirring condition, but the roundness of the particle was improved. After isothermal holding, the mechanical properties of the composite prepared by electromagnetic stirring were improved to some extent.

Abstract: Semisolid A356 alloy was prepared by low superheat pouring and slightly electro- magnetic stirring(LSPSES). The fractal dimensions of primary phase morphology in semisolid A356 alloy were researched by the calculating program written to calculate the fractal dimensions of box-counting in the image of primary phase morphology in semisolid A356 alloy. The results indicated that the primary phase morphology in the alloy was characterized by fractal dimension, and the morphology obtained by the different processing parameters had the different fractal dimension. The morphology at the different position of ingot had the different fractal dimensions, which reflected the effect of solidified conditions at different position in the same ingot on the morphology in the alloy. Solidification of the alloy was a course of change in fractal dimension.

Abstract: Alumina/Al-Si alloy composites were manufactured by squeeze casting. The morphology of eutectic Si in the composite was observed on scanning electronic microscope, and the modified mechanism of the eutectic Si in the composite was approached. The alumina fiber in the composite could trigger twin during the growth of Al-Si eutectic and lead to modification of the eutectic Si near the fiber.

Abstract: Al2O3/Al-4%Cu alloy composites were manufactured by squeeze casting. Segregation at the interface between fiber and matrix in the composites was researched. The results indicated that at the end of solidification of the composites, the change of the solute in the surplus liquid phase resulted in the type of matrix alloy being changed because of the selecting crystallization, and the segregation at the interface was finally formed. There might be the dual effect of the segregation on structures and property of the composites.

Abstract: The effects of the interface in alumina fiber reinforced Al-Si alloy composites prepared by squeeze casting on the wear resistance of the composites were studied. The results indicated that the fiber combined with the matrix well in the composites and had reinforcing effect on the alloy. The interface in the composites could hold back crack propagation, and the composites had the excellent wear resistance. The alloy elements in the matrix were favourable to forming the good interface to improve wear resistance of the composites.

Abstract: Semisolid A356 alloy was prepared by low superheat pouring. The effects of La as a kind of refinement on the size and morphology of the primary phase in semisolid A356 alloy were researched. The results indicated that semisolid A356 alloy contained certain La addition with particle-like and rosette-like primary phase could be prepared by low superheat pouring. The size and morphology of primary phase in A356 alloy are markedly improved by the suitable addition of La. The refining mechanism of La on the size and morphology of the primary phase in semisolid A356 alloy were concerned with the eutectic reaction induced by La in the alloy.