Investigation of Impact of Yttrium Content on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of ZL114A Alloy Subjected to Ultrasonic Treatment

DAI Junfei; LU Gang; TU Zhixin; LIU Yujun; HUANG Shengming; LI Ying; JIANG Huajian

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.09.007

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (9) : 79-86. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.09.007

Light Alloy Forming

Investigation of Impact of Yttrium Content on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of ZL114A Alloy Subjected to Ultrasonic Treatment

DAI Junfei, LU Gang, TU Zhixin^*, LIU Yujun, HUANG Shengming, LI Ying, JIANG Huajian

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Abstract

The work aims to address the defects such as needle-shaped eutectic silicon (Si) phases that fracture the matrix and coarse α-Al dendrites during the solidification and crystallization of ZL114A alloy castings, and to further enhance its mechanical properties. Ultrasonic vibration and rare earth Y modification were combines for synergistic treatment of ZL114A alloy. The ultrasonic vibration power was set at 1 500 W, with a pouring temperature of 740 ℃. The rare earth Y content (mass fraction) was varied at 0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9%. The effects of different Y contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZL114A alloy treated by ultrasonic vibration were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), digital Vickers hardness testing, and electronic universal testing. Results showed that as the Y content increased, the average grain size of α-Al dendrites in the ultrasonically treated ZL114A alloy initially decreased and then increased. At a Y content of 0.6wt.%, the grains were the finest, with an average size of 202.60 μm. The tensile strength, microhardness, and elongation of the ultrasonically treated ZL114A alloy all exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease with the increasee of the Y content, reaching their maximum values at 0.6wt.%, which were 309.5 MPa, 121.77HV, and 5.1%, respectively. In contrast, the tensile strength, microhardness, and elongation of ZL114A alloy without Y addition were only 261.5 MPa, 110.42HV, and 4.33%, respectively. It can be concluded that the rare earth Y element effectively refines the eutectic Si phase and α-Al dendrites in ultrasonically treated ZL114A alloy, thereby significantly enhancing its tensile strength and microhardness. This suggests that rational addition of rare earth Y combined with ultrasonic vibration can effectively improve the overall performance of ZL114A alloy castings.

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ZL114A alloy / modification by rare earth Y / ultrasonic processing / microstructure / mechanical properties

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DAI Junfei, LU Gang, TU Zhixin, LIU Yujun, HUANG Shengming, LI Ying, JIANG Huajian. Investigation of Impact of Yttrium Content on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of ZL114A Alloy Subjected to Ultrasonic Treatment[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2025, 17(9): 79-86 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.09.007

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