Formation and Growth Mechanism of Globular Crystal of ADC12 Aluminum Alloy by Near-Liquidus Squeeze Casting

A new method of near-liquidus squeeze casting (NLSC), which obtains globular crystal, has been developed. The research focuses on the formation and growth mechanism of globular crystals of ADC12 alloy by NLSC. Globular crystal transforms into rosette crystal, average grain size (AGS) increases, and average globular coefficient (ASC) decreases with the rise of pouring temperature. But AGS decreases to 17.8 μm directly and ASC increases directly to 0.46 when the pouring temperature is 650°C. NLSC globular crystal of different sizes (AGS is 22.5 μm; ASC is 0.73) distributes uniformly in matrix. Heterogeneous nucleation grows on the solid particles of metal walls and fusing grains. The formation and growth modes of globular crystal include normal grain growth, annexation of small globular crystal, and fracture and spherulization of rosette crystal. NLSC globular crystal critical radius is inversely proportional to degree of supercooling. The pressure has very little influence on critical radius by increase of melting point and thermal conductivity, but it affects critical radius greatly by changing the degree of supercooling. NLSC globular crystal has no enough time to exceed the critical radius.