Semi-Solid Processing by Electric Current During Sand Casting of Aluminium Alloys

This study reports the effect of DC and 50Hz AC treatment (ECT) on aluminium or aluminium alloys during solidification in sand moulds i.e., at their semisolid state. Castings, with different geometry, were made in open or closed sand moulds. It is observed that ECT (a) reduces dissolved gas, (b) reduces internal shrinkage and (c) metal mould reactions in castings. It is also observed that the AC treatment is more effective compared to DC treatment. ECT changes the movement of solidification front. The optical microstructures of ECT samples are quite similar to the samples treated in other semisolid processing methods. (paper)