Application of Jominy end quench approach for the development of quench factor analysis and microstructure prediction of cast Al-Si-Mg alloys

The mechanical properties of age-hardenable Al-Si-Mg alloys, to a large extent, depend on the rate at which the alloy is cooled after the solutionizing treatment. Quench factor analysis was developed to describe the relationship between cooling rate and final mechanical properties of the age-hardenable materials. This method has been used to successfully predict yield strength of wrought aluminum alloys. However, the quench factor data for aluminum castings is still rare in the literature. In this study, the Jominy end quench approach is presented for the development of quench factor analysis of cast aluminum A356. The results are discussed based on the precipitation kinetics and microstructure as a function of cooling rate along the length of the bar.