Lost foam casting(LFC) process is a special casting method in which polymeric foam patterns with refractory coatings are utilized as a mould component. In this work, four types of foam: expandable polyethylene(EPE), e...Lost foam casting(LFC) process is a special casting method in which polymeric foam patterns with refractory coatings are utilized as a mould component. In this work, four types of foam: expandable polyethylene(EPE), expandable polypropylene(EPP) and expandable polystyrene(EPS) foams with two different densities were employed as pattern materials. LFC and conventional green sand mould casting methods were used to cast a low carbon steel, A216 Grade WCB. Both casting processes were carried out at 1,580 °C. Chemical analysis results showed that the carbon contamination level was high and was influenced by pattern type. Metallographic investigations revealed a significant increase in the percentage of pearlite phase in all LFC samples. Densities of manufactured samples were calculated in order to evaluate porosity of the products. It was determined that the densities of the LFC samples were lower than the green sand mould cast reference sample(RS). Vickers hardness tests were also carried out and increments in hardness values with increased carbon content was observed.展开更多
The effects of T6 heat treatment on thixoforged A356 and A380 aluminium alloys were studied.Low superheat casting(LSC)technique was carried out to prepare proper specimens for thixoforging process.The samples were pou...The effects of T6 heat treatment on thixoforged A356 and A380 aluminium alloys were studied.Low superheat casting(LSC)technique was carried out to prepare proper specimens for thixoforging process.The samples were poured at 20°C above their liquidus temperatures which provided the formation of equiaxed grains instead of dendritic growth.Produced billets were reheated for varied time from 20 to 80 min and thixoforged with 50%deformation rate.After thixoforging process,the samples were T6 heat treated for both A356 and A380 alloys.The microstructural evaluation and hardness alteration of thixoforged,solution treated and aged specimens were examined comparatively by using optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Brinell hardness equipment.T6 heat treatment provided relatively uniform microstructure with newly formed precipitates that are Mg2Si and Al2Cu for A356 and A380 billets,respectively.Accordingly,hardness after artificial aging was increased considerably and reached HB 93 for A356 and HB 120 for A380 alloys.展开更多
文摘Lost foam casting(LFC) process is a special casting method in which polymeric foam patterns with refractory coatings are utilized as a mould component. In this work, four types of foam: expandable polyethylene(EPE), expandable polypropylene(EPP) and expandable polystyrene(EPS) foams with two different densities were employed as pattern materials. LFC and conventional green sand mould casting methods were used to cast a low carbon steel, A216 Grade WCB. Both casting processes were carried out at 1,580 °C. Chemical analysis results showed that the carbon contamination level was high and was influenced by pattern type. Metallographic investigations revealed a significant increase in the percentage of pearlite phase in all LFC samples. Densities of manufactured samples were calculated in order to evaluate porosity of the products. It was determined that the densities of the LFC samples were lower than the green sand mould cast reference sample(RS). Vickers hardness tests were also carried out and increments in hardness values with increased carbon content was observed.
文摘The effects of T6 heat treatment on thixoforged A356 and A380 aluminium alloys were studied.Low superheat casting(LSC)technique was carried out to prepare proper specimens for thixoforging process.The samples were poured at 20°C above their liquidus temperatures which provided the formation of equiaxed grains instead of dendritic growth.Produced billets were reheated for varied time from 20 to 80 min and thixoforged with 50%deformation rate.After thixoforging process,the samples were T6 heat treated for both A356 and A380 alloys.The microstructural evaluation and hardness alteration of thixoforged,solution treated and aged specimens were examined comparatively by using optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Brinell hardness equipment.T6 heat treatment provided relatively uniform microstructure with newly formed precipitates that are Mg2Si and Al2Cu for A356 and A380 billets,respectively.Accordingly,hardness after artificial aging was increased considerably and reached HB 93 for A356 and HB 120 for A380 alloys.
