| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials Research in Reduced Gravity
|
| Presentation Title |
Solidification of Al-Cu Alloys in Microgravity and Terrestrial Environments |
| Author(s) |
Thomas J. Williams, Christoph Beckermann |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Christoph Beckermann |
| Abstract Scope |
Buoyancy of the equiaxed grains can significantly affect the microstructure of cast metals including the Columnar to Equiaxed Transition (CET). Benchmark solidification data that accounts for buoyancy of the solid is limited. A series of solidification experiments were conducted identically on earth and aboard the International Space Station. Al-4, 10, and 18wt.%Cu samples were solidified which have primary solids with negative, neutral, and positive buoyancy relative to their molten liquid. Solidified samples revealed drastically different microstructural features between microgravity and terrestrial cases. All microgravity experiments and the Al-18wt.%Cu terrestrial experiment produced an entirely equiaxed grain structure. The Al-4 and 10wt.%Cu terrestrial experiments produced a CET. The Al-4 and 18wt%.Cu terrestrial experiments showed evidence of grain sedimentation and floatation respectively. Eutectic area fraction, macrosegregation, and thermal process parameters are characterized for all experiments. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Solidification, |