Ultrasound-Assisted Solidification of a Cu-Cr Alloy

doi:10.1007/s40195-022-01433-3

Abstract

Abstract:

Ultrasonic cavitation radiates huge power in a small solidifying bulk, leading to significant grain refinement, purification and homogenization of the final alloys. Ultrasound vibration has mostly been used for treating the solidification of light metals, but it is difficult to directly introduce ultrasonic vibration into copper alloy due to the lack of proper sonotrode. In this work, we have used a Sialon ceramic sonotrode to propagate acoustic waves in a Cu-Cr alloy melt. Significant grain refinement and modification of primary Cr have been obtained. With the ultrasound vibration treatment, the mechanical properties of the as-cast Cu-Cr alloy have been improved. The wear resistance of the Cu-Cr alloy has also shown enhancement with respect to the untreated alloy.

Key words: Cu-Cr alloys, Microstructure, Ultrasonic vibration, Acoustic cavitation, Solidification process

Siruo Zhang, Huijun Kang, Min Cheng, Zongning Chen, Zhicheng Wang, Enyu Guo, Jiehua Li, Tongmin Wang. Ultrasound-Assisted Solidification of a Cu-Cr Alloy[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2022, 35(12): 2082-2088.

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1 Optical micrographs of as-cast Cu-Cr alloy a without UVT, b with UVT. SEM images of the solidification microstructure c without UVT, d with UVT. e A high-magnification SEM image of the Cr whiskers without UVT; WDS mapping of f Cr element, g Cu element for image e. h A high-magnification SEM image of the Cr particles with UVT; WDS mapping of i Cr element, j Cu element for image h

Fig. 2 TEM images of the as-cast Cu-Cr alloy. TEM images of a Cr particle and b dislocation lines for the as-cast Cu-Cr alloy without UVT; TEM images of c, d nanoprecipitates and high-resolution TEM of e the precipitates with UVT; f the corresponding FFT of Cr particle

Fig. 3 IPF maps and grain size statistics of the as-cast Cu-Cr alloys: a and c without UVT; b and d with UVT

Fig. 4 a Tensile strength curve of alloy with and without UVT; b yield strength and microhardness of alloy with and without UVT; c weight wear loss of samples as a function of sliding time with and without UVT

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