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As a near-net-shape technology, the twin-roll strip casting (TRC) process can be considered to apply to the fabrication of TiAl alloy sheets. However, the control of the grain distribution is very important in strip casting because the mechanical properties of strips are directly determined by the solidification microstructure. A threedimensional (3D) cellular automation finite-element (CAFE) model based on ProCAST software was established to simulate the solidification microstructure of Ti-43Al alloy. Then, the influence of casting temperature and the maximum nucleation density (nmax) on the solidification microstructure was investigated in detail. The simulation results provide a good explanation and prediction for the solidification microstructure in the molten pool before leaving the kissing point. Experimental and simulated microstructure show the common texture <001> orientation in the columnar grains zone. Finally, the microstructure evolution of the Ti-43Al alloy was analyzed and the solidification phase transformation path during the TSC process was determined, i.e., L → L+β → β → β+α → α+γ+β/B2 phase under a faster cooling rate and L → L+β → β → β+α → γ+lamellar (α2+γ)+β/B2 phase under a slower cooling rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium (Mg) alloys are significantly influenced by the casting process. In this paper, a comparative study on microstructure and mechanical properties at ambient and elevated temperatures of AZ91-2wt.% Ca (AZX912) Mg alloy samples prepared by gravity casting (GC), squeeze casting (SC) and rheo-squeeze casting (RSC), respectively, was carried out. The results show that α-Mg grains in SC and RSC samples are significantly refined compared to the GC sample. The average secondary dendritic arm spacing of AZX912 alloy samples decreases in the order of GC, SC and RSC. As testing temperature increases from 25 °C to 200 °C, strength of AZX912 alloy samples is reduced, while their elongation is increased continuously. Compared to GC and SC processes, RSC process can improve the mechanical properties of AZX912 alloy at both ambient and elevated temperatures. The enhancement of mechanical properties of RSC sample over GC and SC samples mainly results from grain refinement in the as-cast microstructure of AZX912 alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of different directional solidification processes, i.e., the high rate solidification (HRS) and liquid metal cooling (LMC), on microstructure and stress rupture property of DD488 alloy were investigated. The DD488 alloy was directional solidified by both HRS and LMC processes. The microstructure and stress rupture properties at 980 °C/250 MPa were investigated by using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe analyzer (EPMA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and stress rupture testing. The results indicated that the LMC process refined the primary dendrite arm and decreased the microporosity volume fraction and solidification segregations of Cr and Co in as-cast DD488 alloy. After standard heat treatment of 1,260 °C/4 h, AC (air cooling) + 1,080 °C/4 h, AC + 870 °C/24 h, AC, the γ' morphology in LMC alloy was more cuboidal than that in HRS alloy, and the γ' volume fraction of LMC alloy was higher than that of HRS alloy. The stress rupture life at 980 °C/250 MPa of HRS alloy was 76.8 h, and it increased to 110.0 h in LMC alloy. The LMC process increased the stress rupture life due to the higher γ' volume fraction, more perfect rafting structure and finer interfacial dislocation networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]