Abstract:Suitable microstructures required for semisolid casting were formed by using a vertical pipe. Different lengths of vertical pipe, slug dimensions and pouring time were used to investigate their influence on the microstructure of A356 alloy. The results indicate that at the same length of the vertical pipe, the morphology of the primary α(Al) gradually deteriorates by the enlargement in the slug size, but the deteriorating speed slows down with increasing pipe length. They also reveal that the increase in the pipe length improves the microstructure, whereas no further improvement appears when the pipe length reaches a certain value. The optimum length of the pipe obtained in the present work is 430 mm. The microstructure of larger slug poured at higher pouring temperature gets worse and it can be improved by moderately elongating pouring time. The relative mechanisms were also discussed.

Key words: A356 alloy; semisolid; vertical pipe; microstructure; length of vertical pipe; slug dimension; pouring time