Caracterização e avaliação da resistência ao desgaste de erosão por cavitação da liga A380 processada por injeção e squeezze casting em estado semissólido induzido pela injeção de gás (GISS)

Abstract

Aluminum alloy A380 is widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries due to its lightness, corrosion resistance, and good machinability. However, when exposed to aggressive environments, especially in hydraulic systems and engines, its typical dendritic microstructure has become more susceptible to cavitation erosion wear. This work aims to comparatively evaluate the impact of Squeeze Casting and Gas Induced Semi-Solid (GISS) manufacturing processes in a semi-solid state on the wear resistance of the A380 alloy, seeking to identify the most efficient processing route for industrial applications. The methodology involves the preparation of samples processed by two methods, subjected to ultrasonic cavitation tests in a QSonica equipment, with an amplitude of 80%, a temperature between 21 °C and 24 °C, and a time of 30 minutes. After the tests, the mass loss was measured using a high-precision balance, and the microstructural and chemical analysis was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the GISS process promotes microstructural refinement, reducing dendritic morphology and forming globular grains, resulting in greater resistance to cavitation wear compared to squeeze casting. It is concluded that semi-solid state processing by GISS+Squezze Casting proved to be more efficient in increasing the durability of the A380 alloy, showing potential to expand its application in critical components subject to cavitation wear, reinforcing its relevance for industrial sectors.