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Simulation of the Composition and Cooling Rate Effects on the Solidification Path of Casting Aluminum Alloys

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Abstract

Solidification simulations were carried out for casting aluminum alloy A356 using PanSolidification module of Pandat software which enables consideration of back diffusion in the solid during solidification. The casting microstructure features including the solidified phases, phase fractions, and secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) were simulated. The simulated results explain the experimental observations reasonably well. High throughput calculation was performed to understand the effects of alloy composition and cooling rate on the formation of the intermetallic phases and SDAS in the casting microstructure. The role of Mn in eliminating the formation of detrimental β-AlFeSi phase was also simulated and discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CompuTherm LLC, 8401 Greenway Blvd, STE248, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA

    F. Zhang, C. Zhang, S.-M. Liang, D. C. Lv, S. L. Chen & W. S. Cao

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  1. F. Zhang
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  2. C. Zhang
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  3. S.-M. Liang
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  4. D. C. Lv
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  5. S. L. Chen
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  6. W. S. Cao
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Correspondence to F. Zhang.

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This article is an invited paper selected from presentations at “PSDK XIV: Phase Stability and Diffusion Kinetics—Gibbs: Phase Equilibria, Diffusion and Materials Design” held during MS&T’19, September 29–October 3, 2019, in Portland, Oregon. The special sessions were dedicated to honor Dr. Patrice Turchi, recipient of the ASM International 2019 J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award “for outstanding and pioneering contributions in the application of first-principles, quantum-mechanical calculations to the modeling of phase equilibria and thermodynamic behavior of alloys.” It has been expanded from its original presentation.

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Zhang, F., Zhang, C., Liang, SM. et al. Simulation of the Composition and Cooling Rate Effects on the Solidification Path of Casting Aluminum Alloys. J. Phase Equilib. Diffus. 41, 793–803 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11669-020-00834-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11669-020-00834-0

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