Microstructure and properties of twinned dendrites in directionally solidified A356 alloy

Twinned dendrites and regular dendrites have been respectively produced in A356 alloy by Bridgman solidification. The primary trunks of twinned dendrites grew along <110> direction and were split by a coherent (111) twin plane were characterized by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), which is different from the <100> regular dendrites. The growth of twinned dendrites was found to have a rotation relationship around a common <110> direction. With respect to the specimens with regular dendrites, the mean tensile strength, elongation and toughness of the specimens with twinned dendrites were increased from 230 MPa to 239 MPa, 16.69–18.99%, 34.45 J/m³ to 40.88 J/m³, respectively. Meanwhile, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the specimen with twinned dendrites increase monotonically up to 2.28×10⁻⁵K⁻¹ at temperature of 473 K. This CTE was successfully lowered than that of specimen with regular dendrites at the temperature above 323 K, and reaches the maximum decrease around 4.2% at 473 K. The fractures of two types of specimens were both originated from the Si-rich regions where dimples formed. In addition, detailed analyses on coherent twin boundary (CTB) of twinned dendrites by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) indicate that the mechanisms of twin and dislocation-CTB interactions can enhance the strength and ductility of the A356 alloy with twinned dendrites.