Characterization of the Flow Behavior of Near Eutectic Composition Aluminum-Silicon Alloys

The cone and plate method is used to quantify the effect of shearing rate, shearing time, and molten alloy temperature on the rheological properties of strontium modified and unmodified near eutectic Al-Si alloys. It is found that in the temperature range 583°C (1,081°F) to 598°C (1,108°F) at relatively low shear rates, these alloys behave as Non-Newtonian fluids. In addition, they exhibit shear-thinning, and at all the shear rates tested, the viscosity of the Sr-modified alloys is higher than that of the unmodified alloys.