Effect of section thickness and modification on thermal analysis parameters of A357 alloy

Abstract

Thermal analysis technique relies on the cooling curve obtained when the sample is cooled in a sampling cup. This may not represent the cooling behaviour of the real casting. The microstructure developed during solidification depends not only on the nucleation and modification potential of the melt but also on the thermal gradient imposed during solidification by the mould. The factors affecting the thermal gradient are the mould material and casting section thickness. In the present investigation the effect of modification melt treatment, cooling rate and casting section thickness on the thermal analysis parameters of A357 alloy was studied. It is found that the dimensionless heat flux parameter is high for small section thickness castings. The metal/mould interfacial heat flux is high in a copper mould. Thermal analysis parameters of A357 alloy are found to be affected significantly by the combined action of modification, chilling and section thickness. 2006 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.