Understanding Pre-solidified Grains in Structural Castings of Nemalloy HE700 Experiments

A new family of cast Al–Fe-based eutectic alloy system with Zn and Mg as strengtheners through precipitation has been developed and validated for use in structural automotive applications. High-vacuum high-pressure die casting (HV-HPDC) was used in the casting of structural plates using the Nemalloy HE700 alloy. Typically, HPDC cast components exhibit anomalously large grains in the cast microstructure termed as pre-solidified grainsPre-Solidified Grains(PSG). These PSGPre-Solidified Grains did not present themselves as a critical defect until structural castings were manufactured with this process route. The PSGsPre-Solidified Grains in the as-cast microstructure shall be characterizedCharacterization through quantitative metallography and the effects of varying shot interval delays shall be presented.