Effect of compound field on horizontal continuous casting of Al-1wt.Si alloy

摘要

A travelling magnetic field, a power ultrasonic field, and a compound field were used separately during the horizontal continuous casting process of Al-1wt.%Si alloy. The samples obtained were characterized using an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, a tensile testing machine, and an electron probe microscopic analyzer to test the microstructures, properties, and element distribution of the samples. The results show that the application of a single fi eld can enhance the mechanical properties and reduce the segregation of Si element in Al-1wt.%Si alloy to some extent. The application of a compound field can obtain the best refi nement and homogeneity of the Si element in the alloy, leading to the highest increase of tensile strength and elongation among the three applied fi elds. The mechanism of the action of external fi elds on the refi nement of microstructures and homogeneity of the Si element is discussed and the compound fi eld is considered to be an effective method to achieve high quality Al alloys.