The effects of grain refinement on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a secondary AlSi7-Cu3Mg gravity die cast cylinder head are reported. Metallographic and image analysis techniques ...have been used to quantitatively examine the macro- and microstructural changes occurring with the addition of grain-refining agent. The results indicate that the AlTi5B1 addition produces a fine and uniform grain structure throughout the casting; this effect is more pronounced in the slowly solidified regions. The initial contents of Ti and B, which are present as impurity elements in the supplied secondary alloy ingots, are not sufficient to produce effective grain refinement. Under the present casting conditions, the combined addition of AlTi5B1 and Sr does not produce any reciprocal interaction or effect on primary α-Al and eutectic solidification. Grain refinement improves the mechanical properties of the as-cast AlSi7Cu3Mg alloy and produces higher Weibull moduli, thus increasing the reliability of the casting. For automotive structural components, this could be considered an increase in safety.
The effects of AlTi5B1 grain refinement and cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg alloy were reported. Metallographic and image analysis techniques ...have been used to quantitatively examine the macrostructural and microstructural changes occurring with the addition of grain-refining agent at different cooling rates by using a step casting die. The results indicate that the addition of AlTi5B1 produces a fine and uniform grain structure throughout the casting and this effect is more pronounced in the slowly solidified regions. Increasing the cooling rate, lower amount of grain refiner is necessary to produce a uniform grain size throughout the casting. On the other hand, the initial contents of Ti and B, present as impurity elements in the supplied secondary alloy, are not sufficient to produce an effective grain refinement. The results from the step casting geometry were applied to investigate a gasoline 16V cylinder head, which was produced by gravity semi-permanent mould technology. The grain refinement improves the plastic behaviour of the alloy and increases the reliability of the casting, as evidenced by the Weibull statistics.
The effect of AlTi5B1 grain refinement and different solidification rates on metallurgical and mechanical properties of a secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg alloy is reported. While the Ti content ranges from 0.04 ...up to 0.225 wt.%, the cooling rate varies between 0.1 and 5.5 °C/s. Metallographic and thermal analysis techniques have been used to quantitatively examine the macro- and microstructural changes occurring with grain refiner addition at various cooling rates. The results indicate that a small AlTi5B1 addition produces the greatest refinement, while no significant reduction of grain size is obtained with a great amount of grain refiner. On increasing the cooling rate, a lower amount of AlTi5B1 master alloy is necessary to produce a uniform grain size throughout the casting. The combined addition of AlTi5B1 and Sr does not produce any reciprocal interaction or effect on primary α-Al and eutectic solidification. The grain refinement improves the plastic behavior of the alloy and increases the reliability of castings, as evidenced by the Weibull statistics.
