Influence of Solution

Parameters and Simplified

Supersaturation Treatments
on Tensile Properties
of A356 Alloy
S. Shi vkumar
S. Ricci, Jr.
D. Apellan
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts
ABSTRACT
The effects of solution treatment temperature on microstructure
and on mechanical properties of A356.2 alloys have been investi-
gated. Experiments have been conducted with unmodified and
Sr-modified ASTM B-108 test bars cast into permanent and green
sand molds. A variation of the T5 temper has also been used to
examine the feasibility of eliminating solution heat treatment in
Sr-modified castings. This treatment consists ofremoving the castings
from the moldjust after solidification is completed, quenching into
cola water, and aging directly al the high temperature. The resids
indcate that solution temperature has a strong effect on Si partile
morphology. Extremely high coarsening rales are observed al
temperatures greater than 560C (1040F). Grain boundary melting
of ternary eutectics occurs in the temperature range 560 to 563C
(1040 to 1045F). Increasing the solution temperature from 540
(1004F) to 550C (1022F) may have a beneficial effect on strength
properties. Optimum solution times at 550C (1022F) in Sr-modified
castings are ofthe order of 1.5 to 3 hr andabout 1 hr in green sand
and permanent mold castings, respectively. Depending on casting
geometry, the modified versin ofthe T5 treatment may be a viable
alternative to conventional T6 tempers.
fNTRODUCTION
The effects of soution treatment parameters on tensile properties of
unmodi fi ed and Sr-modified castings were reported in a recent
publi cati on,' where the i nfluence of isothermal solution treatments at
540C (1004F) on tensile properties were considered. It was shown
t h a t solution times can be reduced significantly in well-modified
castings. Opti mum solution ti mes at 540C (1004F) for modified
castings were determined to be of the order of 3 to 6 hr in sand cast
ampies and 1 to 2 hr in permanent mold specimens.
The solution temperature may also have a significant impact on
he microstructural changes occurring during the high-temperature
i reatment. The ki neti cs of spheroidization and coarsening ofeutecti c
i are determined pri mari ly by the solution temperature. 23 The
ct i vat i on energy for coarsening has been measured to be about
80 Kcal/mole.4 This hi gh acti vati on energy suggests that the
coarsening process is extremely temperature sensitive. Consequently,
v)! ut i on temperature has a strong i nfluence on opti mum solution
( mes required to obain the desired property levis in the casting.
The data of Tsukuda et al.5 suggest that even a 10C increase in
temperature has an appreciable effect on opti mum solution times and
on mechanical properties in the casting.
In the present contribution, the effects of soluti on temperature on
tensile properties of A356.2 alloys are presented, In addition, the
feasibility of adopting a modified versin of the T5 temper to
enhance tensile properties of A356 alloys is examined. This heat
treatment consists of subjecti ng the casti ngs to a simplied
supersaturation scheme and aging directly at the high temperature,
The term "simplified supersaturation" has been used extensively in
the published literature to describe an innovative technique that
can be used to increase the amount of Mg in solid solution.6 8 This
procedure entails removing the castings from the mold immediately
after solidification, when the temperature is still cise to the eutectic
temperature, and quenching in a proper mdium. It has been suggested
that, in some castings, the simplified supersaturation scheme may
replace solucin heat treatment, which is the most energy-intensive
stage in the T6 temper. This variation of the T5 temper may be
particularly suited to modified alloys that contain fine and globular
eutectic Si particles in the as-cast condition.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Two different sets of experiments were conducted as a part of this
investigation. The influence of solution treatment parameters on
tensile properties of A356 alloys were evaluated with ASTM B-108
test bars.1 Green sand cast test bars were produced at Littlestown
Hardware & Foundry Co., Inc. in Li ttl estown, Pennsyl vani a,
Permanen mold test bars were cast at Stahl Specialty Co., Kingsville,
Missouri. Simplified supersaturation experiments were conducted
with test castings produced at Drexel University.
Solution Treatment Experiments
The charge material consisted of 100% primary metal. The metal
was thoroughly degassed wi th nitrogen usi ng a rotary i mpel l or
degasser. In order to grain refine the melt, Al-5%Ti-1 %B was added
to the melt. Both unmodified and Sr-modified test bars were cast
from the same melt. Modification was achieved wi th the addi ti on of
Al-10%Sr master alloy. Several chemical analyses, vacuum degassing,
and AluDelta samples were cast periodically to moni tor the chemical
composition, gas content, grain size, and eutecti c undercooli ng.
Ceramic foam filters were used in order to mi ni mi ze the incidence of
defects in the casting. The pouri ng temperature was mai ntai ned
between 740+10C (1360+20F) and 76010C (140020F) for
sand cast and permanent mold samples, respectively. All the castings
were radiographed, and samples cont ai ni ng any vi si bl e defects
were rejected.1
The castings were heat treated at Drexel University. A resistance-
heated, ai r -ci r cul ati ng, box-type muffl e furnace (Luci fer furnace)
was used for the heat treatment. The T6 heat treatment cycle is
summarized below:
Solutionize for temperatures rangi ng from 520-570C (970-
1060F) for times of up to 1600 mi n
Quench in water at 60C (140F)
Natural age at room temperature for 24 hr
Age sand casi test bars at 1542C (3104F) for 4 hr
Age permanent mold cast bars at 1712C (3404F) for 4 hr
The quench interval was mainained to be less than 10 seconds.
At least 10 test bars were ested under i denti cal condi ti ons. Of the
A^S Transactions 90-180 913