Effect of Pouring Process on the Microstructures of Semi-Solid AlSi7Mg Alloy

The effect of different pouring temperatures and different pouring heights, the distance between the mouth of the pouring ladle and the top of the mold, on the microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy have been researched in the paper. When the pouring temperature is close to the liquidus temperature, the primary α-Al in'the billets of AlSi7Mg alloy solidified into spherical and nodular fine grains distributed homogeneously. The optimum pouring temperature for semi-solid AlSi7Mg billet with spherical or nodular primary c-Al is 615℃. At the same pouring temperature, the higher the pouring ladle, the more easily the spherical and nodular primary α-Al obtained in the semi-solid AlSi7Mg billet. When the pouring temperature is close to the liquidus temperature and the pouring ladle is relatively high, it is the great cooling rate, the flow of the molten alloy caused by pouring and the large simultaneous solidification region induced by the near liquidus temperature, that promote the formation of spherical or nodular primary c-Al.