Control Diffusion Solidification (CDS): An Overview of Mechanism and Application

The Controlled Diffusion Solidification (CDS) is an innovative casting technology that is being successfully employed in the near net shaped casting of Al based wrought alloys; specifically the 2xxx and 7xxx series. The novelty of the CDS technology is that it could mitigate the notable casting defect in conventional solidification of the Al wrought alloys, namely, hot tearing and enables the alloy to be cast into near net shaped components. This publication presents an overview of the phenomenological mechanism that lead to the non-dendritic morphology of the primary Al phase in the as-cast microstructure that facilitates a viable opportunity to cast the wrought alloys into high integrity and structural near net shaped castings. The salient mechanical properties of the cast component with AA7050 alloy in various heat treatment tempers will be presented along with micro structural characterization. Additionally, potential application for the technology to be adapted to various Al shaped casting processes will be explored and presented.