Heat transfer and solidification behaviour of modified A357 alloy

Al–Si alloys are subjected to melt treatment like modification to improve their mechanical properties. Non-destructive technique like thermal analysis is generally used to assess the effectiveness of melt treatment. In the present study, the behaviour of the melt treated Al–7Si–Mg alloy (A357) during solidification with or without chilling was investigated using thermal analysis. Thermal analysis and heat transfer parameters were determined. Thermal analysis parameters were affected significantly by modification and chilling. Modification treatment resulted in the increase of cooling rate, heat evolved, casting/mould interfacial heat flux and eutectic growth velocity. A theoretical model based on undercooling from the equilibrium temperature during eutectic solidification was used to predict growth velocities and eutectic grain size. The eutectic grain sizes estimated using the model and those measured from casting microstructures were found to be in good agreement.