Fluidity of A713 Cast Alloy with and without Scrap Addition using Double Spiral Fluidity Test: A Comparison

Authors: A.K. Birru, D Benny Karunakar, M. M. Mahapatra

Abstract:

Recycling of aluminum alloys often decrease fluidity, consequently influence the castability of the alloy. In this study, the fluidity of Al-Zn alloys, such as the standard A713 alloy with and without scrap addition has been investigated. The scrap added was comprised of contaminated alloy turning chips. Fluidity measurements were performed with double spiral fluidity test consisting of gravity casting of double spirals in green sand moulds with good reproducibility. The influence of recycled alloy on fluidity has been compared with that of the virgin alloy and the results showed that the fluidity decreased with the increase in recycled alloy at minimum pouring temperatures. Interestingly, an appreciable improvement in the fluidity was observed at maximum pouring temperature, especially for coated spirals.

Keywords: A713 alloy, Fluidity, Hexachloroethane, Pouring temperature, Recycling.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1061493

References:

[1] M. Bertram, K. Buxmann and P. Furrer, "Analysis of greenhouse gas emissions related to aluminium transport applications", The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, Vol. 14 (2009), pp. 62- 69.
[2] M. Samuel, "A new technique for recycling aluminum scraps", Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 135 (2003), pp. 117-124.
[3] A. Tharumarajah, "Benchmarking aluminium die casting operations", Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 52 (2008), pp. 1185- 1189.
[4] N. Frees, "Reducing environmental impacts: Aluminium recycling", The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, Vol. 13 (2008), pp. 212- 218.
[5] L. Liu and F.H. Samuel, "Assessment of metal cleanliness in A356.2 aluminium casting alloy using the porous disc filtration apparatus technique Part II: Inclusion analysis", Journal of Material Science, Vol. 32 (1997) pp. 5927-5944.
[6] F.M. Yarandi, P.K. Rohatgi, and S. Ray, "Fluidity and microstructure formation during flow of Al-SiC particle composites", Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Vol. 2(3) (1993), pp. 359-364.
[7] M.R. Sheshradri and A. Ramachandran "Casting fluidity and fluidity of aluminium and its alloys", AFS Transactions, Vol. 73 (1965), pp. 292- 304.
[8] S. Floreen and D.V. Ragone, "The fluidity of some aluminium alloys", AFS Transactions, Vol. 70 (1958), pp. 391-393.
[9] W. Prukkanona, N. Srisukhumbowornchaia and C. Limmaneevichitrb, "Influence of Sc modification on the fluidity of an A356 aluminum alloy", Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 487 (2009), pp. 453- 457.
[10] S.C. Sharma, B.M. Girish, R. Kamath, and B.M. Satish, "Fractography, fluidity, and tensile properties of aluminium/hematite particulate composites", Journal of Material Engineering and Performance, Vol. 8 (1999), pp. 309-314.
[11] S. Venkateswaran, R.M. Mallya and M.R. Seshadri, "Effect of trace elements on the fluidity of eutectic Al-Si alloy using the vacuum suction technique", AFS Transactions, Vol. 94 (1986), pp.17-27.
[12] M.C. Fleming, H.F. Conradn and H.F. Taylor, "Aluminum alloys fluidity test, fluidity tripled with mould coating", AFS Transactions, Vol. 67 (1959), pp. 496-507.
[13] K.R. Ravi, R.M. Pillai, K.R. Amaranathan, B.C. Pai and M. Chakraborty, "Fluidity of aluminium alloys and composites: A review", Journal of Alloys Compounds, Vol. 456 (2008), pp. 201-210.
[14] A.K. Birru, M.M. Mahapatra, D.B. Karunakar and P. Kumar, "A study on fluidity and hot-tearing of A206, A518 and A713 cast alloys", Indian Foundry Journal, Vol. 57 (2011), pp. 38-45.
[15] M.Di. Sabatino, L. Arnberg, S. Rorvik and A. Prestmo, "The influence of oxide inclusions of the fluidity of Al-7wt%Si alloy", Materials Science and Engineering A, Vol. 15 (2005), pp. 272-276.
[16] Y.D. Kwon and Z.H. Lee, "The effect of grain refining and oxide inclusion on the fluidity of Al-4.5Cu-0.6Mn and A356 alloys", Materials Science and Engineering A, Vol. 360 (2003), pp. 372-376.
[17] G.W.P. Rengstorff and T.R. Baruch, "Surface energy effect on flow of molten metal in thin sections", AFS Transactions, Vol. 7 (1963), pp. 920-923.