Investigation of microstructures and mechanical properties of A356 aluminum alloy produced by expendable pattern shell casting process with vacuum and low pressure

In this study, microstructures and mechanical properties of A356 aluminum alloy obtained by expendable pattern shell casting process with vacuum and low pressure (EPSC-VL) were investigated. Meanwhile, microstructures and mechanical properties of A356 alloy among EPSC-VL, expendable pattern shell casting process under gravity casting (EPSC-G), lost foam casting with vacuum and low pressure (LFC-VL) and lost foam casting under gravity casting (LFC-G) were compared. The results showed that the microstructure of A356 alloy fabricated by EPSC-VL was finer and denser than the products from EPSC-G, LFC-G and LFC-VL processes, and its grain size was only 147.2 μm compared to LFC-G (327.1 μm). Moreover, its porosity defects were greatly reduced (0.16%) compared to LFC-G (1.97%). The tensile strength, elongation and hardness of castings produced by EPSC-VL were all considerably higher than the products from EPSC-G, LFC-G and LFC-VL. The A356 alloy made by EPSC-VL exhibited morphology of dimple fracture that was very deep and well-distributed. In addition, the castings produced by EPSC-VL process had better surface quality compared to LFC castings.