Experimental investigation and simulation assessment on fluidity and hot tearing of Mg-Zn-Cu system alloys

Abstract The influence of copper (Cu) on fluidity and hot tearing susceptibility (HTS) of Mg-7Zn-xCu (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) ternary alloys was studied by experimental investigation and simulation assessment. The experimental investigations were carried out using bespoke fluidity and “T-shaped” hot tearing test molds. The microstructure and morphology were characterized by scanning electron microscopy system equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy system, and transmission electron microscope. The simulation assessment, which was carried out by using ProCAST software, focused on the solid fraction, phase fraction, and effective stress of the alloys during solidification. The solidification parameter obtained by DTA were used as input data to simulate HTS, the results shown a higher agreement with the experimental results than that obtained by simulation with the parameters from the software database. The results displayed that the fluidity increased and HTS decreased with Cu addition in the range from 0 to 3 wt.%. Moreover, the phase fraction of MgZnCu phase in Cu-containing alloys increased. The simulation results of HTS with DTA solidification parameters presented a higher agreement with the experimental results.