Effect of rotating magnetic field on the microstructures and physical properties of Al-Cu-Co ternary eutectic alloy

The solidification microstructures and physical properties of Al-Cu-Co ternary eutectic alloy were studied in a rotating magnetic field (RMF). The RMF-driven flow was the key factor causing grain refinement and uniformity of solidification microstructures. The temperature distributions during solidification were recorded under the conditions with and without RMF. The dependence of the eutectic spacing (λ) the microhardness (HV), tensile strength (σt) and compressive strength (σc) on the RMF were investigated. Electrical resistivity (ρ) measurements of the studied alloy were also performed by using the four-point probe method and the dependence of the resistivity on temperature and RMF were determined. Besides, the enthalpy (ΔH) and the specific heat (Cp) values were determined by the DSC analysis. Important changes were found in the microstructure, microhardness, tensile strength, compressive strength and electrical resistivity of the studied alloy with increasing RMF.