Title: Effect of pouring temperature on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of low pressure sand cast LM25 (Al-7Si-0.3Mg) alloy

Authors: A. Srinivasan, U.T.S. Pillai, B.C. Pai

Addresses: Metals Processing Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India. ' Metals Processing Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India. ' Metals Processing Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India

Abstract: The effect of pouring temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of LM25 (Al-7Si-0.3Mg) alloy has been studied using the Low Pressure Casting (LPC) method, and the results have been compared with gravity casting. The solidification rate is found to be affected by the pouring temperature, but to a lesser extent as compared to gravity pouring. The Dendrite Arm Spacing (DAS), Si size and the porosity content increase with increasing pouring temperature, and in turn degrade the mechanical properties at high pouring temperature. At all the pouring temperatures, the LP cast alloy exhibits superior mechanical properties as compared to the gravity cast alloy.

Keywords: LM25 aluminium alloys; low pressure casting; LPC; pouring temperature; microstructure; mechanical properties; gravity casting; solidification rate; dendrite arm spacing; porosity content; sand cast alloys.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2006.010622

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2006 Vol.1 No.2, pp.139 - 148

Published online: 09 Aug 2006 *

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