The Effects of Molding Materials on Microstructure and Wear Behavior of A356 Alloy

In this study, the effect of molding materials on microstructure and wear behavior of A356 alloy was investigated. Different microstructures were obtained by casting A356 alloy into the molds made from three different materials. Homogenization and aging heat treatments were applied as cast blocks. The aged samples were tested by pin-on-disk-type standard wear equipment. The results showed that casting into different mold materials resulted in different microstructures of A356 alloy. Microstructures of the Al–Si–Mg alloy differ depending on the mold materials. Secondary dendrite arm space (SDAS) decreased proportionally with increasing cooling rate. Based on the cooling rate, hardness values of the alloy also differ. As the cooling rate increased, hardness of the alloy increased. The SDAS increased due to the decreasing cooling rate. In wear tests, increasing weight loss was observed with decreasing cooling rate