Effect of Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of a Rheocast 357 Alloy Using the SEED Method

Abstract:

The ability of Al-Si alloys to be cast into complex shapes, coupled with a favourable strength-to-weight ratio, has given them an advantage in the automotive industry. To further improve casting quality, many have turned to semi-solids, where alloys exhibit flow properties that stem from the material's dual liquid-solid nature and globular microstructure. The SEED (Swirled Enthalpy Equilibration Device) process is a novel rheocasting technology yielding a semi-solid slurry from the mechanical agitation (swirling) and cooling of molten aluminum. In the current work, a SEED processed 357-T6 alloy displayed typical yield and ultimate tensile strength values of 210-250 and 300-320 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the average elongation observed was 12-17%.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 690)
• Pages: 169-172
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.690.169
• Online since: June 2011
• Authors: Ehab Samuel, Chang Qing Zheng
• Keywords: Aluminium Casting, Rheocasting, SEED Process, Semi-Solid, Semi-Solid Casting

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