The solidification characteristics of 6061 and A356 aluminum alloys and their ceramic particle-reinforced composites

The solidification curve and viscosity are the two most important solidification characteristics. The solidification curves of the 6061 and A356 alloys and their ceramic particle-reinforced composites are determined by using differential thermal analysis (DTA) coupled with mathematical modeling. In applying this method, the cooling curves of the alloys and composites are first determined by using DTA, then mathematical modeling is used io simulate the cooling curves, and their solidification curves can thus be calculated. It has been found that the principal characteristics of the solidification curves of the composites and their matrix alloy are similar. The viscosities of these alloys and composites are determined by using a Searle-type viscometer. The viscosity of the semisolid slurry increases with increasing solid content. A sharp increase in the viscosity is observed during solidification, and the value of the critical solidified fraction is a function of the shear rate. Both the aluminum alloys and their respective composites displayed similar critical solidified fractions, and these values are hardly affected by the addition of the ceramic particles. (C) 1997 Acta Metallurgica Inc.