Experimental determination of grain density function of AZ91/SiC composite with different mass fractions of SiC and undercoolings using heterogeneous nucleation model

TG146.2+2; The grain density,N,in the solid state after solidification of AZ91/SiC composite is a function of maximum undercooling, OT, of a liquid alloy. This type of function depends on the characteristics of heterogeneous nucleation sites and number of SiC present in the alloy.The aim of this paper was selection of parameters for the model describing the relationship between the grain density of primary phase and undercooling. This model in connection with model of crystallisation, which is based on chemical elements diffusion and grain interface kinetics, can be used to predict casting quality and its microstructure. Nucleation models have parameters, which exact values are usually not known and sometimes even their physical meaning is under discussion. Those parameters can be obtained after mathematical analysis of the experimental data.The composites with 0, 1,2, 3 and 4wt.% of SiC particles were prepared. The AZ91 alloy was a matrix of the composite reinforcement SiC particles. This composite was cast to prepare four different thickness plates.They were taken from the region near to the thermocouple, to analyze the undercooling for different composites and thickness plates and its influence on the grain size. The microstructure and thermal analysis gave set of values that connect mass fraction of SiC particles, and undercooling with grain size. These values were used to approximate nucleation model adjustment parameters. Obtained model can be very useful in modelling composites microstructure.