Effect of Solidification Structure Morphology on Macrosegregation Generated by Solidification Shrinkage Flow Due to Bridging

Abstract

Casting experiments of Al-10 wt.%Cu alloy were carried out using an impreved Satou mold (iST mold). The mold was a rectangular parallelepiped (inner dimensions 30 mm^T × 50 mm^W × 140 mm^H), with a porous alumina plate on the wide side of the mold and a chill set at a height of 70 to 80 mm from the bottom. Four metal materials (stainless, steel, brass, and copper) with different thermal conductivities were used for the chill. To investigate the effect of bridging on the formation of macrosegregation, X-ray CT analysis of the macrosegregation distribution and morphology, observation of micro- and macro-structures, and analysis of temperature and solid fraction distribution were performed for samples obtained under each condition. Bridging formed near the chill under all conditions, and channels consisting of positive segregation and cavities were formed below it. The volume fraction of positive segregation decreased as the thermal conductivity of the chill material increased. In the samples using stainless and copper as chill materials, the volume fractions of positive segregation were 73.8 % and 11.7 %, respectively. Consequently, we confirmed that the bridging-formed conditions have a significant effect on the formation of macrosegregation.