Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Solidification defects'

This thesis examines the causes of surface scale, surface inter-dendritic phase formation and surface melting. These effects hinder component inspection and lead to extensive rework operations and component scrap. Surface scale is a region of colouration observed on the external surface of cast components. It has been shown to occur in the solid-state and to result from the differential thermal contraction between the mould and metal, driving separation during the casting process. The regions of the casting that separate from the mould are exposed to the casting atmosphere, resulting in the formation of a thin oxide interference film, or surface scale. The separation of the mould and metal in the solid state can cause the semi-solid ‘mush’ above to contract, resulting in segregated liquid flow towards the surface and a layer of inter-dendritic phases at the surface of the casting. Therefore a close relationship between surface inter-dendritic phase formation and the spatial occurrence of surface scale is observed. After heat-treatment a number of components exhibit ‘blisters’ of melted material at the surface, even in under-solutioned components. Surface melting frequently occurs within the scaled regions of turbine blade components, however the reasons for this were previously not understood. The increased risk of inducing melting of these lower melting point inter-dendritic phases on the surface associated with surface scale rationalizes this observation.

Among all casting defects, shrinkage porosities could significantly reduce the strength of metal parts. As several critical components in aerospace and automotive industries are manufactured through casting processes, ensuring these parts are free of defects and are structurally sound is an important issue. This study investigates the formation of shrinkage-related defects in alloy solidification. To have a better understanding about the defect formation mechanisms, three sets of experimental studies were performed. In the first experiment, a real-time video radiography technique is used for the observation of pore nucleation and growth in a wedge-shaped A356 aluminum casting. An image-processing technique is developed to quantify the amount of through-thickness porosity observed in the real-time radiographic video. Experimental results reveal that the formation of shrinkage porosity in castings has two stages: 1-surface sink formation and 2- internal porosity evolution. The transition from surface sink to internal porosity is defined by a critical coherency limit of . In the second and third experimental sets, two Manganese-Steel (Mn-Steel) castings with different geometries are selected. Several thermocouples are placed at different locations in the sand molds and castings to capture the cooling of different parts during solidification. At the end of solidification, castings are sectioned to observe the porosity distributions on the cut surfaces. To develop alloys’ thermo-physical properties, MAGMAsoft (a casting simulation software package) is used for the thermal simulations. To assure that the thermal simulations are accurate, the properties are adjusted to get a good agreement between simulated and measured temperatures by thermocouples. Based on the knowledge obtained from the experimental observations, a mathematical model is developed for the prediction of shrinkage porosity in castings. The model, called “advanced feeding model”, includes 3D multi-phase continuity, momentum and pore growth rate equations which inputs the material properties and transient temperature fields, and outputs the feeding velocity, liquid pressure and porosity distributions in castings. To solve the model equations, a computational code with a finite-volume approach is developed for the flow calculations. To validate the model, predicted results are compared with the experimental data. The comparison results show that the advanced feeding model can accurately predict the occurrence of shrinkage porosity defects in metal castings. Finally, the model is optimized by performing several parametric studies on the model variables.

One of the long-standing challenges in joining of aluminum alloys is the occurrence of solidification defects, i.e. hot cracking and porosity, since these defects significantly increase manufacturing costs. This research project investigates the formation of solidification defects through development of a novel and comprehensive 3-D multi-scale and multi-physics numerical study and then application to the GTA welding of the aluminum alloy AA6061. The developed multi-scale model is composed of four different modules: 1) Solidification, 2) Deformation, 3) Fluid flow, and 4) Defect formation. The solidification module numerically reconstructs the 3-D microstructure of semisolid welds using a granular model of solidification. Specifically, a modified Voronoi tessellation algorithm is used to generate an unstructured grid representing the weld microstructure. The reconstructed microstructure contains both columnar and equiaxed grains and varies as a function of welding process parameters. Then, the Scheil equation is used in combination with the temperature field obtained through the Rosenthal equation and the reconstructed 3D microstructure to simulate solidification. This module outputs the evolving 3D structure of the semisolid weld composed of solid grains and a network of micro liquid channels for use by the deformation and fluid flow modules as the simulation geometry. The deformation module analyzes via finite elements the deformation of the semisolid weld due to externally applied strains and self-induced strains such as thermo-mechanical strains and solidification shrinkage in order to obtain local strain rates within the micro liquid channels. The local strain rates outputted by the deformation module feed a fluid flow analysis module in which the pressure field within the semisolid weld is calculated. Finally, the defect formation module uses various defect formation models to link the pressure field and the local strain rates to the formation of solidification defects including micro cracks and hydrogen porosity.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Engineering, School of (Okanagan)
Graduate

Le silicium monolike (ML), est un matériau obtenu par croissance dirigée sur des germes monocristallins et dédié aux applications photovoltaïque. Cette thèse se concentre sur la qualité structurale de ces cristaux de plusieurs centaines de kilogrammes et qui contiennent des défauts dont certains affectent particulièrement le rendement solaire. Le but est de comprendre les mécanismes d'apparition et de multiplication de ces défauts pour pouvoir à terme les inhiber. Comme le développement de sous-joints de grains (SJG), principaux responsables des pertes de rendements photovoltaïques, est potentiellement lié aux contraintes thermomécaniques qui se développent au cours du cycle de fabrication, nous avons simulé numériquement les températures d'un four contenant un lingot sur un cycle complet (fusion, croissance, refroidissement). A partir des valeurs de températures, nous avons pu établir une cartographie des contraintes thermomécaniques ainsi que leur évolution temporelle. En parallèle, nous avons utilisé plusieurs techniques de caractérisations structurales et électriques pour analyser les défauts cristallins et leur répartition dans le lingot, et ce à différentes échelles. Au cours du cycle, un premier maximum de contrainte en fin de chauffe génère des dislocations et des précurseurs de SJG dans le germe, le second en fin de solidification / début de refroidissement mène à l'organisation finale des dislocations du bruit de fond présentes dans tout le lingot. Une fois les SJG apparus, ils s'étendent latéralement au fur et à mesure de la progression de l'interface solide-liquide. Ces sous-joints ont une structure constituée de dislocations sessiles et verticales, qui suivent le front de solidification mais également de dislocations mobiles qui viennent se bloquer sur cette structure préexistante. [...]
Monolike silicon (ML Si), is a material obtained by directional solidification on monocrystalline seeds and dedicated to photovoltaic applications. This thesis focuses on the structural quality of these crystals of several hundred kilograms that contain defects that potentially affect the photoelectric yield. The goal is to understand the mechanisms by which these defects nucleate and multiply in order to inhibit them. Since the development of sub-grain boundaries (SGB), which are the main factors for the losses of photovoltaic yields, is potentially related to the thermomechanical stresses that develop during a thermal cycle, we simulated numerically the temperatures of an oven containing an ingot over a complete cycle (fusion, growth, cooling). From the temperature values, we were able to establish a map of the thermomechanical stresses as well as their temporal evolution. In parallel, we used several structural and electrical characterization techniques to analyze crystalline defects and their distribution in the ingot at different scales. During the cycle, a first maximum of stress at the end of the heating stage generates dislocations and precursors of SGB in the seed. The second stress maximum at the end of solidification / start of cooling stage leads to the final organization of background dislocations present in the whole ingot. Once the SGB appear, they extend laterally as the solid-liquid interface progresses. These SGB have a structure consisting of sessile and vertical dislocations, which follow the solidification front and also mobile dislocations that interact with this pre-existing structure. The integration of these mobile dislocations, which can occur just below the solid-liquid interface or during cooling, increases the misorientation of the SGB. [...]

Une approche expérimentale incluant plusieurs techniques a été utilisée pour caractériser les défauts structuraux issus de la solidification, par imagerie X in situ, et par des techniques complémentaires ex situ pour caractériser la structure de grains, la qualité cristalline et la déformation. La composition et la ségrégation des impuretés ont été corrélées avec la caractérisation des défauts et les propriétés électriques. Les analyses montrent l'influence significative des impuretés légères et métalliques sur la solidification du silicium et sur les propriétés électriques. En présence d'impuretés légères, une fréquence plus élevée de germination des grains est observée, elle est liée à la présence de précipités. La structure de grains résultante est constituée d'une plus grande proportion de macles d'ordre élevé et de joints de grain aléatoires par rapport au cas des échantillons faiblement contaminés. De plus, des déformations locales sont induites par la présence de SiC et sont à l'origine de la formation de sous-joints. Les propriétés électriques sont dégradées en présence d’impuretés légères par rapport au cas des matériaux Si purs. Dans les échantillons contaminés par le Cu, aucun effet significatif sur la structure de grains n'a été mis en évidence. Cependant, les joints de macles Σ3 cohérents qui sont des défauts de haute qualité cristalline peuvent être actifs en présence de Cu. Cette observation a été corrélée à la ségrégation du Cu au niveau de ces joints de grains. Au cours de cette étude, les progrès récents des caractérisations in situ de dynamique de formation des défauts pendant la solidification ont permis d’ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives
An experimental approach including several techniques was used to characterize structural defects issued from the solidification by in situ X-ray imaging during solidification and by complementary ex situ techniques to characterize and quantify the grain structure, crystalline quality, and deformation. The composition and segregation of impurities were measured in correlation with the defect characterization and correlated to minority carrier lifetime measurements. The analysis shows significant influence of light impurities and metallic impurities on Si solidification and on the electrical properties. In the presence of light impurities, a higher frequency of grain nucleation is observed, it is linked to the presence of precipitates. The resulting grain structure is constituted by a higher proportion of high order twin and of random angle grain boundaries compared to the case of low contaminated samples. Moreover, local deformations are induced by the presence of SiC and are at the origin of SABGs (small angle grain boundaries) formation. The electrical properties are degraded (lower and inhomogeneous minority carrier lifetime) in the presence of light impurities compared to the case of pure Si materials. In Cu contaminated samples, no significant effect on the grain structure was evidenced. However, coherent Σ3 twin boundaries, which are defects of high crystalline quality, can be active in presence of Cu. This observation was correlated to Cu segregation at the level of these grain boundaries. During this study, recent progress concerning the in situ characterization of the defect formation dynamics during solidification allowed to open new prospects

Os compostos semicondutores ternários, dentre eles o Ga1-xInxSb, têm sido objeto de interesse de pesquisadores e da indústria microeletrônica devido à possibilidade de ajuste da constante de rede, assim como a correspondente modificação da banda proibida de energia e do intervalo de emissão e absorção óptica, com a variação da fração molar de x. A flexibilidade destas propriedades estruturais torna este composto apropriado como substratos para epitaxias de outros compostos ternários e quaternários, na formação de mono e heterojunções. A maneira mais econômica para obtenção de substratos de materiais semicondutores é através do crescimento de cristais a partir da fase líquida. Porém, os parâmetros que regem a obtenção de lingotes de Ga1-xInxSb com qualidade comercial, a partir da fase líquida, ainda não estão bem definidos. O índio tende a segregar para o líquido, pois seu coeficiente de segregação é menor que a unidade (k < 1), resultando num perfil composicional variado ao longo do lingote. Como os binários GaSb e InSb apresentam configurações de defeitos intrínsecos que originam condutividades de tipos opostos, tipo p e tipo n, respectivamente, a mudança na composição da liga, durante o crescimento, provavelmente resulta na modificação da concentração de cada um destes defeitos. A dopagem com telúrio consiste numa alternativa para minimizar a segregação do índio e diminuir a densidade dos defeitos pontuais, melhorando a qualidade estrutural de cristais de Ga1-xInxSb obtidos através do método Bridgman convencional. Desta forma foram crescidos cristais ternários Ga1-xInxSb, com e sem agitação do líquido durante a síntese, com fração molar inicial de índio de 10% e 20%, alguns deles dopados com 1020 átomos/cm3 de telúrio, pelo método Bridgman vertical. A caracterização estrutural em termos de formação de defeitos lineares, interfaciais e volumétricos foi realizada através de imagens obtidas por microscopia óptica, eletrônica de varredura e de transmissão. A homogeneidade composicional e distribuição de fases foi avaliada através de medidas de espectroscopia por dispersão de energia. Medidas de resistividade e efeito Hall foram utilizadas para a caracterização elétrica, enquanto que a transmitância óptica e a banda proibida de energia foram avaliadas por espectrometria FTIR. Os padrões de difração obtidos através da microscopia eletrônica de transmissão foram utilizados para avaliar a cristalinidade das amostras e determinar o parâmetro de rede. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o telúrio atua de forma compensatória, minimizando a segregação de índio e contribuindo para a homogeneidade composicional e redução de defeitos, principalmente de discordâncias. Além disso, altera a condutividade do Ga1-xInxSb para tipo n, mesmo em frações molares de In inferiores a x = 0,5, diminuindo o número de cargas positivas na rede atribuídas aos defeitos tipo GaSb e VGaGaSb e, desta forma, aumenta a concentração de portadores de carga e reduz a resistividade. Na condição de alta dopagem, reduz a transmitância óptica no infravermelho e aumenta a banda proibida de energia através do efeito Burstein-Moss. A avaliação de cristais de Ga1-xInxSb, dopados e não dopados, crescidos pelo método Bridgman convencional contribuiu para o entendimento do comportamento de dopantes em compostos semicondutores ternários.
Ternary compound semiconductors, including Ga1-xInxSb, have been subject of interest of researchers and microelectronics industry because of the possibility of adjusting the lattice constant, as well as the corresponding modification in the band gap energy, and in the optical absorption and emission range, by varying the mole fraction x. The flexibility of their structural properties makes this compound suitable as substrates for epitaxy of other ternary and quaternary compounds, in the formation of mono- and heterojunctions. The most economical way to obtain semiconductor substrates is by crystal growth from the liquid phase. However, the parameters governing the outcoming of Ga1-xInxSb ingots with commercial quality, from liquid phase, are not well defined. Indium tends to segregate to the liquid, since its segregation coefficient is less than the unity (k < 1), resulting in a varied compositional profile along the ingot. As the binary GaSb and InSb have intrinsic defects configurations that originate opposite conductivities, type p and type n, respectively, the change in the alloy composition, while growing, probably results in a modification of the concentration on each of these defects. Doping with tellurium is an alternative to minimize the indium segregation and decrease the density of point defects, therefore improving the structural quality of Ga1-xInxSb crystals obtained through the conventional Bridgman method. Thus, ternary Ga1-xInxSb crystals were grown by vertical Bridgman method with and without stirring the melt during the synthesis, with 10% and 20% initial molar fraction of indium and some of them were tellurium-doped at 1020 atoms/cm3. The structural characterization regarding linear, interfacial, and volumetric defects formation was performed by using images obtained through optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The compositional homogeneity and phase distribution was assessed by energy-dispersive spectroscopy measurements. Resistivity and Hall Effect measurements were used for the electrical characterization, while the optical transmittance and the band gap energy were examined by FTIR spectroscopy. Diffraction patterns obtained by transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the crystallinity of the samples and determine the lattice parameter. The results indicate that tellurium acts in a compensatory way, minimizing indium segregation and contributing to the compositional homogeneity and defect reduction, especially in dislocations. In addition, it changes the conductivity of Ga1-xInxSb to n-type, even in mole fraction of In lower than x = 0.5, reducing the number of positive charges on the network assigned to GaSb and VGaGaSb defects, thus increasing the concentration of charge carriers and reducing the resistivity. In high doping condition, it reduces the optical transmittance in the infrared region and increases the energy of the band gap by the Burstein-Moss Effect. The evaluation of Ga1-xInxSb crystals, doped and undoped, grown by the conventional Bridgman method contributed to the understanding of dopants behavior in ternary compound semiconductors.

Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons étudié in situ la solidification du silicium à l’aide de l'imagerie X-synchrotron. Les deux techniques utilisées lors de la solidification sont la radiographie et la diffraction de Bragg, elles permettent de caractériser: la dynamique des mécanismes de croissance, la cinétique de croissance, la nucléation et la compétition de grains, la déformation du réseau cristallin et les champs de contraintes liés aux dislocations. Ces observations sont combinées avec des caractérisations ex situ pour étudier l'orientation cristallographique, les déformations du réseau cristallin ainsi que les concentrations d'impuretés légères telles que le carbone et l'oxygène.La complémentarité de ces techniques permet d'étudier et de mieux comprendre : les phénomènes physiques liés à la formation de la structure de grain finale. Les résultats concernant la cinétique de croissance de l'interface solide-liquide et des facettes {111}, l'établissement de la structure de grain, l'importance du maclage, l'effet des impuretés légères, le champ de contrainte lié à la croissance et la compétition de grains et les dislocations sont discutés dans le manuscrit
During this thesis, we studied in situ the solidification of silicon with X-synchrotron imaging. The two techniques used during solidification are radiography and Bragg diffraction and they allow characterizing: dynamic growth mechanisms, growth kinetics, grain nucleation and competition, lattice deformation and dislocation related strain fields. These observations are combined with ex situ characterizations to study the crystallographic orientation, the deformations of the crystal lattice as well as the concentrations of light impurities such as carbon and oxygen. The complementarity of these techniques makes it possible to study and to better understand: the physical phenomena related to the formation of the final grain structure. Results concerning the growth kinetics of the solid-liquid interface and of the {111} facets, the establishment of the grain structure, the importance of twinning, the effect of light impurities, the strain field related to growth and grain competition and dislocations are discussed in the manuscript

La présente étude porte sur l'influence de la vitesse de refroidissement et du taux d'inoculation sur la structure de solidification des fontes à graphite sphéroïdal. Des modèles de simulation numérique de la solidification sont proposés. Des pièces comportant 5 cylindres de diamètres différents, instrumentés à l'aide de thermocouples, ont été coulées. Les courbes de refroidissement ont été dépouillées par analyse thermique directe et dérivée. La structure des cylindres a été caractérisée par analyse d'images : on a ainsi déterminé la densité surfacique de nodules, leur densité volumique, le taux de graphite et celui de cémentite. Des corrélations entre ces paramètres ont été établies et chiffrées, de même que des corrélations entre les caractéristiques des courbes de refroidissement et les paramètres structuraux des pièces. L'ensemble des corrélations expérimentales obtenues représente un moyen empirique pour décrire l'effet du taux d'inoculation et de la vitesse de refroidissement sur la structure de solidification des fontes. Les différents aspects de la simulation numérique et de la confrontation entre les résultats des calculs et les données expérimentales sont ensuite successivement abordés. La cinétique de solidification est décrite par un modèle qui comporte des lois de germination et de croissance des sphères eutectiques (nodule de graphite plus coquille d'austénite). On présente enfin un modèle amélioré qui considère le dépôt d'austénite hors des sphères eutectiques. La confrontation simulation-expérience montre que le type de modélisation examine permet de décrire l'effet de l'inoculation et de la vitesse de refroidissement sur la structure des pièces coulées. Cette approche peut aider à la rationalisation des connaissances empiriques que l'on a de ces phénomènes en fonderie

Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons étudié in situ la solidification du silicium à l’aide de l'imagerie X-synchrotron. Les deux techniques utilisées lors de la solidification sont la radiographie et la diffraction de Bragg, elles permettent de caractériser: la dynamique des mécanismes de croissance, la cinétique de croissance, la nucléation et la compétition de grains, la déformation du réseau cristallin et les champs de contraintes liés aux dislocations. Ces observations sont combinées avec des caractérisations ex situ pour étudier l'orientation cristallographique, les déformations du réseau cristallin ainsi que les concentrations d'impuretés légères telles que le carbone et l'oxygène.La complémentarité de ces techniques permet d'étudier et de mieux comprendre : les phénomènes physiques liés à la formation de la structure de grain finale. Les résultats concernant la cinétique de croissance de l'interface solide-liquide et des facettes {111}, l'établissement de la structure de grain, l'importance du maclage, l'effet des impuretés légères, le champ de contrainte lié à la croissance et la compétition de grains et les dislocations sont discutés dans le manuscrit
During this thesis, we studied in situ the solidification of silicon with X-synchrotron imaging. The two techniques used during solidification are radiography and Bragg diffraction and they allow characterizing: dynamic growth mechanisms, growth kinetics, grain nucleation and competition, lattice deformation and dislocation related strain fields. These observations are combined with ex situ characterizations to study the crystallographic orientation, the deformations of the crystal lattice as well as the concentrations of light impurities such as carbon and oxygen. The complementarity of these techniques makes it possible to study and to better understand: the physical phenomena related to the formation of the final grain structure. Results concerning the growth kinetics of the solid-liquid interface and of the {111} facets, the establishment of the grain structure, the importance of twinning, the effect of light impurities, the strain field related to growth and grain competition and dislocations are discussed in the manuscript

Le procédé de refusion à l'arc sous vide (Vacuum Arc Remelting ou VAR en anglais) est employé dans la production d'alliages métalliques à haute valeur ajoutée tels que les alliages de titane ou superalliages base nickel à destination de l'industrie aéronautique. La maîtrise des conditions de solidification constitue un enjeu industriel important pour obtenir des lingots d'une homogénéité chimique adéquate et dépourvus de défauts de solidification. Les travaux présentés dans ce document visent à améliorer la description des échanges thermiques dans un modèle du procédé VAR (SOLAR) et proposer une nouvelle approche pour la prédiction des défauts de solidification de type canaux ségrégés. Dans un premier temps, la description dans le modèle des échanges thermiques entre l'électrode, le lingot, la lingotière et le circuit de refroidissement a été améliorée. Les modifications ont fait l'objet de validation par comparaison des résultats numériques avec des mesures sur des refusions industrielles réelles. Un dispositif expérimental original de mesure de température à la paroi extérieure de la lingotière adapté aux refusions industrielles a été conçu et utilisé lors d'une campagne expérimentale sur site industriel lors de la refusion d'un alliage de titane. Les mesures obtenues ont été confrontées aux résultats numériques de SOLAR. Ces deux activités ont abouti à une première implémentation du phénomène de side-arcing dans le modèle. En parallèle, une approche numérique multi-échelle a été développée pour prédire la formation de canaux ségrégés en fonction des conditions locales de solidification. Une première étude sur un alliage Sn-Pb a été réalisée et un critère mathématique de prédiction a été calculé à partir des résultats. Cette première étude montre un impact du gradient thermique sur la formation de canaux ségrégés bien plus faible que celui généralement considéré dans la littérature
The Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) process is used in the production of high-added value metals such as titanium alloys or nickel-based superalloys for the aerospace industry. The control of solidification conditions is an important industrial issue in order to process ingots of adequate chemical homogeneity and free of solidification defects. The work presented in this manuscript aims at improving the description of heat exchanges in a VAR process model (SOLAR) and at proposing a new approach for the prediction of segregated channels type solidification defects. First, the description of the heat exchanges in the model between the electrode, the ingot, the mould and the cooling circuit has been improved. These modifications were validated by comparing the numerical results with measurements from real industrial melts. An original experimental apparatus for measuring the external mould temperature adapted to industrial melts was designed. This apparatus was used during an experimental campaign on an industrial site during the remelting of a titanium alloy. The measurements obtained were compared with the numerical results from SOLAR. These two activities led to a first implementation of the side-arcing phenomenon in the model. In parallel, a multi-scale numerical approach was developed to predict the formation of segregated channels as a function of local solidification conditions. A first study on a Sn-Pb alloy was carried out and a mathematical criterion was calculated from the results. This first study shows a much lower impact of the thermal gradient on the formation of segregated channels than that generally considered in the literature

Lamellar cast iron is a very important technical alloy and the most used material in the casting production, and especially in the automotive industry which is the major consumer. Beside the many great properties, it is inclined to form casting defects of which some can be prevented, and some may be repaired subsequently. Shrinkage porosity is a randomly returning problem, which is difficult to understand and to avoid. This defect is a volumetric deficiency which appear as cavities inside the casting in connection to the casting surface. Another frequent defect is the metal expansion penetration. This defect is a material surplus squeezed to the casting surface containing sand inclusion from the mold material. Shrinkage porosity is usually mentioned together with metal expansion penetration as the formation mechanism of both defects have common roots. It is also generally agreed, that these type of defects are related to the volumetric changes occurring during solidification. Additionally, the formation of these defects are in connection with the coherency of the primary austenite dendrites. The purpose of this work was to develop knowledge on factors affecting a volume-change related casting defect formation in order to minimize the presence of these defects in engine component production. This was done by extending the existing solidification investigation methods with novel solutions. Introduction of expansion force measurement in the determination of dendrite coherency combined with multi axial volume change measurement refine the interpretation of the solidification. Comparison of registered axial and radial linear deformation in cylindrical samples indicated an anisotropic volume change. Different methods for dendrite coherency determination have been compared. It was shown that the coherency develops over an interval. Dependent on the added inoculant the coherency is reached at different levels of fractions of a solidified primary phase. It is also shown, that inoculation has an effect on the nucleation and growth of the primary phase. Quantitative image analysis has been performed on the primary phase in special designed samples designed to provoke shrinkage porosity and metal expansion penetration. It was found, that the inter-dendritic space varies within a casting. This was explained by the coarsening of the primary dendrites which originates from differences in the local time of solidification.

QC 20131210

En fonderie d'aluminium, la présence de microporosités au sein des pièces moulées nuit considérablement à leurs propriétés mécaniques. On comprend par conséquent que la modélisation et la prédiction de la formation des microporosités peuvent être d'un grand soutien pour le fondeur. Dans cette étude, nous avons observé tout d'abord expérimentalement la sensibilité à la formation des microporosités d'alliages binaires d'aluminium-silicium (Al-3%Si, Al-7%Si, Al-11%Si) dans des conditions de solidification unidirectionnelle ou uniforme. La caractérisation de nos essais nous a permis de retrouver certaines tendances déjà observées expérimentalement dans la littérature et notamment une augmentation de la fraction volumique de pores avec: la teneur initiale en hydrogène dissous, une microstructure plus grossière, une pression extérieure plus faible. Au vu de ces résultats, nous avons alors adopté une approche thermodynamique ou nous avons montré notamment que, dans l'intervalle de solidification des alliages d'aluminium, la diminution de la température et l'enrichissement en soluté du liquide résiduel peuvent diminuer considérablement la solubilité de l'hydrogène. Dans ces conditions, la formation des microporosités peut avoir lieu dans les premiers stades de la solidification ou les pertes de pression associées au retrait de solidification sont alors négligeables. Notre étude a abouti à la définition d'un modèle analytique de prédiction de la fraction volumique de pores se caractérisant par les deux étapes suivantes: 1) la détermination de la fraction solide critique à partir de laquelle la formation des microporosités devient thermodynamiquement possible, 2) le calcul de la fraction volumique de pores à partir de la résolution du bilan de masse pour l'hydrogène. Notre approche peut être utilisée pour d'autres alliages d'aluminium et/ou dans des conditions de solidification plus compliquées

The aim of this thesis is to verify a possibility of controlling the crystallisation of aluminium alloys poured in shell moulds in order to achieve directional solidification. For this purpose, new cooling plant has been designed and fabricated. Several sample castings were produced under different initial conditions. Based on the evaluation of measured temperatures, a numerical simulation of heat transfer was created using the ProCAST software. Finally, the sample castings were sectioned into specimens that were, subsequently, metallographically polished and the evaluation of their structure with respect to the amount and types of defects was performed.

Les liaisons bimetalliques soudees concernees par cette etude interessent les assemblages par soudage des tubulures de cuve en acier faiblement allie 16mnd5 et des tuyauteries en acier austenitique 316 du circuit rep. Certaines de ces liaisons presentent en peau externe des defauts intergranulaires en premiere couche de beurrage qui n'apparaissent que lorsque la structure de cette premiere couche est purement austenitique. Les materiaux assembles ayant des coefficients de dilatation tres differents, nous avons suppose que la fatigue thermique pouvait etre responsable de la presence de ces defauts. Aussi, afin de tester cette hypothese et estimer le degre de nocivite de la structure austenitique, nous avons etudie une liaison bimetallique presentant une structure austenitique en premiere couche et avons simule la fatigue thermique par de la fatigue oligocyclique a 320c. Nous nous sommes attaches a decrire les transformations metallurgiques induites par le caractere heterogene de l'assemblage. De nombreuses discontinuites ont ainsi pu etre mises en evidence au niveau de l'interface metal de base/premiere couche de beurrage : discontinuites chimiques, microstructurales et cristallographiques. Une analyse des conditions de solidification imposees par le caractere heterogene de la liaison a ete proposee permettant de rendre compte des phenomenes observes. D'un point de vue mecanique, il semble que ces heterogeneites aient peu d'influence sur la tenue en fatigue de la liaison. Quel que soit le mode de sollicitation envisage, nous ne recreons pas les decohesions intergranulaires observees sur site. Une modelisation par elements finis a ete menee pour determiner la repartition de la deformation plastique cumulee et expliquer la presence d'une zone sans bandes de glissements apparentes au niveau de l'interface, cote beurrage.

The influence of processing and process parameters plays a key role for the Aluminium foundry and transport industries as it affects the quality and soundness of the cast products. Particularly, the choice of a process chain in Aluminium foundry, otherwise of process parameters, influences the reject rates, hence casting costs, the process yield and the production rate. The process chain in Aluminium foundry is a complex sequence of processes and the final casting quality depends on many parameters. Several aspects of this subject are still not fully understood. The motivation of the research presented in this doctoral thesis work was, therefore, to fill this gap in knowledge. The study has aimed at understanding the influence of various process and process parameters of foundry on the quality of aluminium alloy castings and, in particular, Al-Si based castings. A literature review and a sufficient background of previously reported results on the influence of processing and process parameters on the quality of aluminium alloy castings, physical fundamentals as well as industrial challenges, motivation and goals were carried out. Special attention in Aluminium process chain has been given to: The modification of aluminium-silicon cast alloys: before casting aluminium alloys, the molten metal can be treated in order to improve the microstructure and properties of alloys by addition of small quantities of certain "modifying" elements. The pouring of molten metal into the mould: this is one of the critical steps in foundry technology, since the behaviour of the liquid and its subsequent solidification and cooling determine whether the cast shape will be properly formed, internally sound and free from defects. The chill casting processes, such as gravity, low-pressure and high-pressure die casting processes: the essential feature of chill casting is the use of permanent metal moulds, into which the molten alloy is either poured directly or injected under pressure, giving rise to the separate processes of gravity and low/high pressure die casting. Permanent moulds offer obvious advantages in terms of simplicity of production for large quantities of parts, but are subject to limitations yet to be discussed. The heat treating process applied to high-pressure die castings: conventional die castings are utilised to produce many products but unfortunately the presence of porosity limits the application. In addition to porosity, the microstructure inherent with conventional die casting could not meet the mechanical requirements needed for many applications. Subsequent heat treating, which can positively alter the microstructure, is rarely possible due to defects that emerge during thermal processing, such as blistering.