Statistical investigations of serpentine channel pouring process parameters on semi-solid ZL101 aluminum alloy slurry using response surface methodology

The purpose of the present study is to develop the serpentine channel pouring process prediction model and research the interaction effects between process parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of semi-solid ZL101 aluminum alloy slurry. The factors studied are pouring temperature, curve runner number, and the serpentine channel temperature. The Vickers hardness, equivalent particle diameters and the average shape factors of primary alpha-Al grains are the responses studied. The design of experiments is established though response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design. The results of significance and ANOVA tests have proved the developed three prediction models have an adequate approximation to the actual values. The response surface was developed which can provide an evaluation of the primary factors and interaction effects of process parameters as well as their contribution in predicting the studied responses. The comparison between predicted and actual values and analyzing of residuals vs run number show that the experiments are valid for the design of experiment work. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.