Effect of ultrasonic melt processing and Al-Ti-B on the microstructural refinement of recycled Al alloys

Yuliang Zhao; Weixiang He; Dongfu Song; Fanghua Shen; Xinxin Li; Zhenzhong Sun; Yao Wang; Shuhong Liu; Yong Du; Ricardo Fernández

Ultrasonics Sonochemistry (Sep 2022)

Effect of ultrasonic melt processing and Al-Ti-B on the microstructural refinement of recycled Al alloys

Yuliang Zhao,
Weixiang He,
Dongfu Song,
Fanghua Shen,
Xinxin Li,
Zhenzhong Sun,
Yao Wang,
Shuhong Liu,
Yong Du,
Ricardo Fernández

Affiliations

Yuliang Zhao: Neutron Scattering Technical Engineering Research Centre, School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China; Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Avda. de Gregorio del Amo 8, Madrid 28040, Spain; Corresponding authors at: Dongguan University of Technology, China and Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Spain (Y. Zhao); Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China (D. Song); Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Spain (R. Fernández).
Weixiang He: Neutron Scattering Technical Engineering Research Centre, School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
Dongfu Song: National Engineering Research Centre of Near-net-shape Forming for Metallic Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Metal Toughening Technology and Application, Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; Corresponding authors at: Dongguan University of Technology, China and Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Spain (Y. Zhao); Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China (D. Song); Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Spain (R. Fernández).
Fanghua Shen: Neutron Scattering Technical Engineering Research Centre, School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
Xinxin Li: Neutron Scattering Technical Engineering Research Centre, School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
Zhenzhong Sun: Neutron Scattering Technical Engineering Research Centre, School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
Yao Wang: Centre of Excellence for Advanced Materials, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
Shuhong Liu: State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Yong Du: State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Ricardo Fernández: Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Avda. de Gregorio del Amo 8, Madrid 28040, Spain; Corresponding authors at: Dongguan University of Technology, China and Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Spain (Y. Zhao); Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China (D. Song); Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), C.S.I.C., Spain (R. Fernández).

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 89
p. 106139

Abstract

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Refining the α-Al grain size and controlling the morphology of intermetallic phases during solidification of Al alloys using ultrasonic melt processing (USMP) and Al-Ti-B have been extensively used in academic and industry. While, their synergy effect on the formation of these phases has not yet clearly demonstrated. In this paper, the influence of USMP and Al-Ti-B on the solidified microstructure of multicomponent Al-4.5Cu-0.5Mn-0.5Mg-0.2Si-xFe alloys (x = 0.7, and 1.2 wt%) has been comparatively studied. The results show that the USMP + Al-Ti-B method produce a more profound refinement effect than the individual methods. In addition, the area of single Fe-rich phases in both alloys with USMP + Al-Ti-B are also refined compared with conventional methods. A mechanism is proposed for the refinement, which are the deagglomerated TiB2 parties induced by USMP providing more effective nucleation sites for α-Al, and the refined interdendritic regions limited the growth of Fe-rich phases in the following eutectic reaction. Finally, the application of combined USMP + Al-Ti-B methods is feasible in microstructural refinement, resulting in the improving the casting soundness and mechanical properties of alloys.

Published in Ultrasonics Sonochemistry

ISSN: 1350-4177 (Print); 1873-2828 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry; Science: Physics: Acoustics. Sound
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ultrasonics-sonochemistry

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