Solidification Processing of aluminium alloys

The paper deals initially with the structure of liquid aluminium alloys in terms of the existence of clusters of like or unlike atoms in a matrix of randomly distributed monatomic liquid atoms. Different modes of solidification processing like conventional solidification in an ingot mould, melt treatment to produce desired microstructures on solidification, the role of clusters on solidification are discussed thereafter. The paper also deals with rapid solidification processing through melt spinning, atomisation and spray forming and evolution of unique microstructures and mechanical property development in each case with particular reference to the extensive research work carried out at the National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, India.