Microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties of rheocasting 7075 aluminum alloy

Abstract

The microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties of 7075 aluminum alloy produced by a new rheoforming technique, under as-cast and optimized heat treatment conditions, were investigated. The present rheoforming combined the innovatively developed rheocasting process, named as ICSPC (inverted cone-shaped pouring channel) process, and the existing HPDC (high pressure die casting) process. The experimental results show that the ICSPC can be used to prepare high quality semi-solid slurry for the subsequent die casting. Compared with conventional HPDC process, the ICSPC process can improve the microstructures and mechanical properties of the cast tensile samples. An optimized heat treatment results in significant improvement in ultimate tensile strength. However, the ductility of the samples, both under as-cast and optimized heat treatment conditions, are relatively poor.

Keywords

• semi-solid processing
• 7075 Al alloy
• rheo-diecasting
• microstructure
• mechanical properties