Numerical-Experimental Assessment of the Semi-Solid Contraction Behavior of Grain-Refined High Strength Aluminum Alloy, B206

Al–5Ti–1B master alloy has been used to refine the microstructure of a commercial high-strength aluminum alloy (B206). The effects of grain refinement and mold preheat on the semi-solid contraction behavior were investigated. A coupled thermal-stress model combined with displacements measured during solidification was utilized to determine the semi-solid contraction coefficients (SSCC). The simulation results show that Al5TiB additions and preheating the mold significantly reduced SSCC values and limited the semi-solid contraction of B206 alloy.