Eutectic Si Accumulation in Liquid Forged A356 Alloy Wheel and its Adverse Effect on Tensile Fracture Behavior

Abstract:

This investigation is aimed to study microstructural heterogeneities raised due to the inherent melt transport phenomenon and their effect on mechanical properties. Modified, Cleaned, and degassed A356 aluminum alloy melt was poured at 704°C in H13 tool steel die, while temperatures of lower die segment, side segment, and upper segment were 368°C, 375°C, and 290°C respectively. Then liquid melt was forged till its complete solidification under pressure using a hydraulic forging press. The liquid forged wheel was subjected to metallurgical investigation of microstructure, mechanical properties, and fractography of tensile test samples at different cross-sections along the protrusion of the wheel. Results conclude gradual variation in accumulation of eutectic Si phase from surface to the center of thickness and from flange to the outer rim region. The elastic properties are not affected by accumulation of the eutectic silicon however, plasticity have adversely affected with decrease in effective ductile cross-section. Also, refinement of primary α-aluminum and modification in the eutectic silicon phase in specific areas of the wheel is observed.

• Periodical: Defect and Diffusion Forum (Volume 418)
• Pages: 169-177
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-edk639
• Online since: August 2022
• Authors: Hussain Mudassar*, Mao Wen Liu, Cong Xu, Shuji Handa, Hiroshi Yamagata, Chao Li Ma
• Keywords: Eutectic Si Phase Accumulation, Liquid Forging, Melt Transport Phenomenon, α-Al, β-Intermetallic

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