Superheat influence on mechanical properties of cast hypoeutectic aluminium-silicon alloy

• Published in: International journal of cast metals research (Online) Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 170 - 175
• Main Authors: Shittu, M D, Ibitoye, S A, Olawale, J O, Popoola, A P I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.06.2012
• Subjects: Aluminium-silicon; Coated mould; Grain size; Hexachloroethane; Hypoeutectic; Ingot casting; Ingots; Mechanical properties; Melts; Molds; Optimization; Superheat
• ISSN: 1364-0461; 1743-1336
• DOI: 10.1179/1743133612Y.0000000005

This study examined the influence of hexachloroethane coated mould on the mechanical properties of hypoeutectic aluminium-silicon alloy. A hypoeutectic aluminium-silicon alloy was grain refined using 15 wt-% hexachloroethane and cast at varied degrees of melt superheats (50-150°C). The mechanical properties of the cast ingots were measured and their microstructures studied. The grain sizes of the ingots cast at various superheats were also determined. The study revealed that the grain sizes decrease as the melt superheat decreases, thereby causing an increase in the mechanical properties of the alloy. It was also noted that there exists an optimum value of superheat at which the mechanical properties were optimum. Apart from improved mechanical properties, it was inferred that the application of volatile mould coating (hexachloroethane) and temperature control facilitates the production of porosity free hypoeutectic aluminium-silicon casting.