Semisolid Microstructure Evolution during Cooling Slope Casting under Vibration of A380 Aluminum Alloy

This study is concerned with the influence of the vibration at a specific frequency to the inclined plate during cooling slope casting. A380 aluminum alloy was employed in the present work. The alloy was poured from the inclined plate with an angle of 60 degrees and a length of 500 mm at a pouring temperature of 630 degrees C. The pouring was carried out on an inclined plate with and without vibration. Microstructures of specimens obtained from both conditions were examined. Grain size analysis of specimens was carried out. Experimental results showed that the application of vibration affected the microstructure. Hence, it was determined that the application of vibration increased the nucleation and led to more breaking of dendrite arms. In this study, the convection of melt by vibration played an important role on formation of non-dendritic primary Al-particles.