The Effect of Wall Thickness on the Microstructure and Tensile Properties on Squeeze Casting of Al–5Mg–2.2Si–0.6Mn–0.1Ce Alloy

The present study investigates the effect of wall thickness on the mechanical properties of Al-5Mg-2.2Si-0.6Mn-0.1Ce castings, using squeeze casting to fabricate alloys with varying wall thicknesses. The results show that changes in wall thickness affect defect generation, grain size, and secondary dendrite arm space (SDAS), which in turn influence the tensile properties of the material. Specifically, the shrinkage porosity of the castings decreases gradually with increasing wall thickness, while the SDAS and grain size increase. Although this reduces defects and improves the tensile properties, the increase in SDAS and grain size leads to a decrease in yield strength and tensile strength. Notably, the material's tensile strength reaches its maximum (265.5 MPa) at a wall thickness of 10 mm. These findings demonstrate the importance of optimizing wall thickness parameters for complex castings, with potential implications for industrial production and application.