Effects of Process Parameters on Microstructure of A2017 Alloy Strip Produced by a Novel Semisolid Rolling

Abstract

In order to produce A2017 alloy strip, a novel semisolid rolling process was studied. The effects of process parameters on microstructure were investigated. The experimental results show that the grain size and roundness of A2017 alloy strip increase with the increment of casting temperature. The grain size of strip decreases firstly and then increases with the increment of vibration frequency. When the sloping plate length was between 500 mm and 600 mm, the casting temperature was between 650 ∘ C and 680 ∘ C, the roll speed was 0.087 m · s − 1 , and the vibration frequency was 50 Hz, A2017 alloy strip with a cross-sectional size of 4 × 160 mm was produced. The microstructure of strip is mainly composed of fine spherical or rosette grains with a certain elongation along rolling direction, and the average grain size is 36.4 μm.