Influence of process parameters on thermal-rate treatment of ZA42 alloy

Sand casting process and directional solidification technique combining thermal-rate treatment( TRT) were used. The influence of process parameters on TRT was investigated according to the values of impact toughness. At the same time, the mechanism of TRT was discussed. The results showed that TRT can improve the impact toughness of this alloy, while the hardness is basically constant. The time of heat preservation should not be more than 5 min. Different forms of cooling intensification additive have different effects among which the zinc ingot solidified in graphite mold is the best one that can improve impact toughness of samples by more than 80%. With increasing the cooling temperature, the value of a Al) crystal lattice constant increases. The element Sb has negative effect on TRT.