This research investigated the relationship between T5 heat treatment and elongation in thixocast and rheocast SSM components as a means to reduce the energy, time, and cost associated with T6 treatments while still producing improved properties over the as-cast condition. Temperature and time were varied as a part of work to optimize aging conditions for SSM materials. Both conventional furnace and fluidized bed heat treatments were employed. Tensile bars were fabricated from the heat treated A356 components and were pulled. Extensive SEM and stereo microscopy were performed to examine the factors which produced favorable results in the T5 condition. Data generated for T6 and as-cast components were also collected for purposes of comparison. Quality index calculations were employed to help evaluate the results. Optimized procedures and aging parameters have been presented

Creator

• Dewhirst, Brian A

Contributors

• Makhlouf, Makhlouf M.
• Apelian, Diran
• Pan, Qingyue

Degree

• MS

Unit

• Materials Science & Engineering

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Language

• English

Identifier

• etd-111705-111503

Keyword

• Semi Solid Metal
• A356
• Fluid Bed
• Microstructure
• Aluminum
• Heat treatment
• SSM
• Quality Index
• Casting

Advisor

• Apelian, Diran

Committee

• Pan, Qingyue
• Makhlouf, Makhlouf M.

Defense date

• 2005-10-11

Year

• 2005

Date created

• 2005-11-17

Resource type

• Thesis

Rights statement

• In Copyright