An Integrated Solidification and Heat Treatment Model for Predicting Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminum Alloy Component

In this work, a newly developed modeling tool is presented which computes the local mechanical properties of cast and precipitation hardening heat treated aluminum alloy component. The integrated model simulates both casting and heat treating processes, and it computes the local hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, that developed in the casting during each step. Both alloy solidification and precipitation hardening heat treatment steps are simulated. The solidification model takes into account grains nucleation and the mushy zone front undercooling to predict the growth of the dendritic and eutectic microstructures. The predicted secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) map is used to calculate the local strengths in the subsequent heat treatment steps. The heat treating model takes into account quenching and aging steps. The integrated model uses an extensive database that was developed specifically for the A356 alloy under consideration. The database includes temperature dependent mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of the alloy.