Method for Laboratory-Scale Wedge Casting of Aluminum Alloys

Author(s):

Taylor Cain and Jon-Erik Mogonye

Abstract:

A method for laboratory-scale permanent wedge mold casting of aluminum alloys was proposed and evaluated for its ability to provide a wide range of industrially relevant solidification behaviors for material property testing. Analysis of the cast microstructure of A356.0 (Al-7Si-0.4Mg) was performed via measuring the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) and correlated to well-known relationships between SDAS and solidification rate. Results showed that the wedge dimensions were capable of providing a range of nearly two orders of magnitude in solidification rate, which covers a range from permanent mold castings to die castings, thus validating the wedge mold dimensions.