Effect of solid ring preheating and cooling conditions on bonding of Mg-Al composite produced by centrifugal casting

Production of Mg-Al bimetal composite, for weight reduction of industrial components and decrease in fuel consumption, has taken attentions in the transport industry during recent years. In this research Mg melt was poured at 700 Celsius into Al hollow cylinder, with 1.5 melt to solid volume ratio (Vm/Vs), preheated at various temperature including; 320, 400 and 450 Celsius, respectively, while they were rotating at 1600 rpm in a vertical centrifugal casting machine. Effect of the cooling process after pouring, and also contraction behavior of magnesium-aluminum bimetal during solidification, under centrifugal force, was studied. Preheating temperature from 350 to 450 Celsius led to the increasing of reaction layer and phase changes. Study of microstructure using scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with x-ray spectroscopy showed Al3Mg2 and Al12Mg17 intermetallic compounds, eutectic structure and Mg solid solution are formed in the interface. Keep the casting in the casting machine, while rotating and cooling to the range of 150 Celsius, prevented creation of contraction cracks and separation of two layers composite alloy.