Effects of mechanical vibration on filling and solidification behavior, microstructure and performance of Al/Mg bimetal by lost foam compound casting

Al/Mg bimetal was prepared by lost foam solid-liquid compound casting, and the effects of mechanical vibration on the filling and solidification behavior, microstructure and performance of the bimetal were investigated. Results show that the mechanical vibration has a remarkable influence on the filling and solidification processes. It is found that after mechanical vibration, the filling rate increases and the filling rate at different times is more uniform than that without vibration. In addition, the mechanical vibration also increases the wettability between liquid AZ91D and A356 inlays. The mechanical vibration reduces the horizontal and vertical temperature gradient of the casting and makes the temperature distribution of the whole casting more uniform. Compared to the Al/Mg bimetal without vibration, the shear strength is improved by 39.76% after the mechanical vibration is applied, due to the decrease of the inclusions and Al12Mg17 dendrites, and the refinement and uniform distribution of the Mg2Si particles in the interface of the Al/Mg bimetal.