About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
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Aluminum Alloys, Characterization and Processing
|
Presentation Title |
Improving the Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminum via Ultrasonication-induced Microstructural Refinement |
Author(s) |
Katherine Rader, Jens Darsell, Jon Helgeland, Nathan Canfield, Timothy Roosendaal, Ethan Nickerson, Adam Denny, Aashish Rohatgi |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Katherine Rader |
Abstract Scope |
One barrier to the broader use of cast aluminum alloys in automotive applications is their poor mechanical properties, especially compared to wrought materials. This study investigates the use of ultrasound to refine the microstructure of cast aluminum alloys during solidification and thus improve their mechanical properties. A 356 aluminum alloy (Al-Si-Mg) with added Fe (to mimic a recycle-grade alloy) was cast in a graphite mold with the simultaneous application of ultrasound. Tensile specimens were extracted from the castings and heat treated to a T6 temper. Ultrasonication during casting transformed the primary aluminum grains from dendritic grains ~150 microns in size to globular grains ~30 microns in size. Ultrasonication during casting increased the ultimate tensile strength by 20 % compared to casting without ultrasound. This improvement in strength demonstrates the potential for ultrasound to improve the performance of cast aluminum alloys without altering alloy chemistry or additional post-processing. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
Keywords |
Aluminum, Solidification, |