The Mechanical Strength of Si Foams in the Mushy Zone during Solidification of Al–Si Alloys
School of Energy, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH), Cheonan 31253, Korea
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Yong-Cheng Lin
Materials 2017, 10(4), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10040337
Received: 1 February 2017
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Revised: 8 March 2017
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Accepted: 22 March 2017
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Published: 24 March 2017
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Materials Characterization)
The mechanical strength of an Al-30% Si alloy in the mushy zone was estimated by using a novel centrifugation apparatus. In the apparatus, the alloy melt was partially solidified, forming a porous structure made of primary Si platelets (Si foam) while cooling. Subsequently, pressure generated by centrifugal force pushed the liquid phase out of the foam. The estimated mechanical strength of the Si foam in the temperature range 850–993 K was very low (62 kPa to 81 kPa). This is about two orders of magnitude lower than the mechanical strength at room temperature as measured by compressive tests. When the centrifugal stress was higher than the mechanical strength of the foam, the foam fractured, and the primary Si crystallites were extracted along with the Al-rich melt. Therefore, to maximize the centrifugal separation efficiency of the Al-30% Si alloy, the centrifugal stress should be in the range of 62–81 kPa.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Lim, J.T.; Youn, J.W.; Seo, S.Y.; Kim, K.Y.; Kim, S.J. The Mechanical Strength of Si Foams in the Mushy Zone during Solidification of Al–Si Alloys. Materials 2017, 10, 337. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10040337
AMA Style
Lim JT, Youn JW, Seo SY, Kim KY, Kim SJ. The Mechanical Strength of Si Foams in the Mushy Zone during Solidification of Al–Si Alloys. Materials. 2017; 10(4):337. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10040337
Chicago/Turabian StyleLim, Jeon Taik, Ji Won Youn, Seok Yong Seo, Ki Young Kim, and Suk Jun Kim. 2017. "The Mechanical Strength of Si Foams in the Mushy Zone during Solidification of Al–Si Alloys" Materials 10, no. 4: 337. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10040337
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