CONTINUOUS CASTING and PRODUCT CHARACTERIZATION of Al-Mg-Sc-Zr ALLOYS STRIPS PRODUCED via HORIZONTAL SINGLE BELT CASTING (HSBC)

摘要

The combined additions of Scandium (Sc) and Zirconium (Zr) into Al-Mg binary alloys were proven to be effective in providing strength, enhanced elevated temperature resistance and improved workability at RT (Room Temperature). These improvements lead quaternary Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloys to be important candidates for aerospace applications such as air frames and stiffened panels. The main processing route for these alloys involves direct chill (DC) casting followed by thermo-mechanical treatment (Homogenization, hot and cold rolling). In present study, micro-structural characterization (Optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and Backscattered Electron Diffraction (EBSD) was conducted on the alloy strips that were produced via Horizontal Single Belt Casting (HSBC) [1,2] technology and compared with gravity casting. Surface quality (3D Profilometry) as well as mechanical properties (Hardness measurements and tensile testing) of as-cast strips were determined.