Effects of upward directional solidification on columnar grain formation and microstructures of Al4Cu1Mg alloys Carlos Maranhão Piorski Júnior, Felipe Bertelli

Abstract

Aluminum-based metal alloys reinforced with copper and magnesium can reach high values of mechanical properties after thermal treatments of solubilization and precipitation. This work refers to a broader research project that aims to evaluate the effects of the initial solidification microstructure on heat treatments and will be limited in the approach of the initial aspects, presenting an analysis of the effects of the upward vertical transient solidification of a ternary aluminum alloy, with 4wt% of copper and 1wt% of magnesium. The solidification macrostructure was shown to be completely columnar along the ingot and the typical microstructure was of more refined dendrites at the base and coarser as positions were taken further away from the solidification interface.