Nucleation and growth of eutectic cell in hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy

The nucleation and growth of eutectic cell in hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was investigated using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with electron backscattering diffraction（EBSD）.By revealing the eutectic cells and analyzing the crystallographic orientation,it was found that both the eutectic Si and Al phases in an eutectic cell were not single crystal,representing an eutectic cell consisting of small ＇grains＇.It is also suggested that the eutectic nucleation mode can not be determined based on the crystallographic orientation between eutectic Al phases and the neighboring primary dendrite Al phases.However,the evolution of primary dendrite Al phases affects remarkably the following nucleation and growth of eutectic cell.The coarse flake-fine fibrous transition of eutectic Si morphology involved in impurity elements modification may be independent of eutectic nucleation.

High temperature oxidation behavior of directionally solidified NiAl-31Cr-2.9Mo-0.1Hf-0.05Ho eutectic alloy

The isothermal oxidation behavior of NiAl-31Cr-2.9Mo-0.1Hf-0.05Ho directional eutectic alloy was investigated with the help of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.The results revealed that a continuous Al2O3 scale was formed and owned excellent oxidation resistance in the temperature range of 900-1100°C.When the temperature was up to 1150°C,the continuous Al2O3 oxide film ruptured.Trace rare earth element Ho distributed uniformly in the alloy and relatively high level of Al in Cr（Mo）phase are beneficial to the formation of continuous and compact Al2O3 scale.During the oxidation,a phase transformation fromθ-Al2O3 toα-Al2O3 existed on the surface of oxidation film.It resulted in the abnormal oxidation mass gain happening when the alloy was oxidized at 1000°C or 1050°C.

Formation mechanism of anomalous eutectics in highly undercooled Ag-39.9 at%Cu alloys

This paper investigates the solidification behaviour of the Ag-Cu eutectic alloy melt undercooled up to 100 K. It is revealed that lamellar eutectics grow in a dendritic form in the Ag-Cu eutectic melt with undercooling equal to or greater than 76 K. As undercooling increases, the remelted fraction of the primary eutectics during recalescence rises. The severe remelting and the subsequent ripening of the primary eutectic dendrites lead to the formation of anomalous eutectics.

Microstructure optimization of directionally solidified hypereutectic Nb-Si alloy

Nb-16Si-24Ti-10Cr-2A1-2Hf alloy was directionally solidified with withdrawal rates of 1.2, 6, 18, 36 and 50 mrn/min and then heat treated at 1400, 1450 and 1500℃with withdrawal rate of 50 mm/min for 10 h. The effects of withdrawal rate and heat treatment temperature on the microstructure were studied. The microstructure of directionally solidified alloy was composed of the primary NbsSi3, Nbss/NbsSi3 eutectic cells and Cr2Nb, which distribute paralleled to the growth direction. The microstructure becomes more refined with the increasing withdrawal rate, accompany with the evolution of eutectic cells morphology. After heat treatment, Nbss phase connects and forms a continuous matrix, and the Cr2Nb phase becomes smaller and distributes more dispersedly. After heat treatment at 1450 ℃ for 10 h, the alloy achieves balance between the optimization of microstructure and alleviation of solute segregation.

Effects of individual and combined additions of phosphorus,boron and cerium on primary and eutectic silicon in an Al-30Si alloy

The modification of silicon in an Al-30Si alloy was studied using optical microscopy, electron probe micro-analysis, transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It is found that phosphorus master alloys combined with boron master alloys have good modification effect on primary silicon but no evident modification effect on eutectic silicon, while boron combined with cerium has good modification effect on eutectic silicon. The results of differential scanning calorimetry show that phosphorus, boron or cerium addition and their combined addition have different undercooling effects on eutectic silicon. Many scholars thought that AlP particles were the nuclei of eutectic silicon when phosphorus was enough in the alloy. Our results show that β-（Al,Si,Fe） can still be the nucleus of plate-like entectic silicon while AlP is the nucleus of primary silicon when there is enough phosphorus in the melt. In addition, the mechanism about the modification was also discussed.

Eutectic nucleation in Al-25wt.% Si alloy through DSC

Eutectic nucleation in hypereutectic Al-25wt.%Si alloy with the addition of P was studied by calculating the activation energy and nucleation work. The results indicate that P refinement, which can decrease the activation energy as well as nucleation work of eutectic solidification, can increase the eutectic nucleation frequency of Al-25wt.%Si alloy, so the addition of P can refme the eutectic structures of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys. According to the calculations, there is a certain relationship between the precipitation of primary silicon and eutectic solidification, and the eutectic nucleation mode is independent of morphology transition.

MICROSTRUCTURE OF BINARY Mg-Al EUTECTIC ALLOY WIRES PRODUCED BY THE OHNO CONTINUOUS CASTING PROCESS

Directionally solidified binary Mg-Al eutectic alloy wires of approximately 5 mm in diameter were produced by the Ohno continuous casting （OCC） process and the microstructure was examined. It was found that the wires possess obvious unidirectional growth characteristic along its axial direction. The microstructure consists of parallel columnar grains that resulted from the competitive growth of equiaxed grains solidified on the head of dummy bar. Each columnar grain comprises regular eutectic a-Mg and β-Mg17 Al12 phases, which grew along the axial direction of the wires. The morphology of the eutectic is mainly lamellar, meanwhile rod eutectic exists. The formation of rod eutectic was attributed to the ＂bridging effect＂ caused by incidental elements in the alloy.

A novel Al-10Si-2Fe master alloy and its ef ect on inoculation of eutectic cells in Sr-modii ed A356 alloy

To investigate the possibility of inoculating eutectic cells, a novel AI-10Si-2Fe master alloy was synthesized and tested in Sr-modified A356 alloy. The new master alloy that consists of reAl, Si andβ-AIsFeSi phases was prepared by a casting process, and the silicon phase was found to grow epitaxially from theβ-AIsFeSi particles. The inoculation efficiency of the new master alloy on Sr-modified A356 alloy has been investigated by quenching experiment and thermal analysis. With the addition of the new master alloy, the area density of eutectic cells is effectively increased by 100% and the eutectic growth temperature is increased by 1.5 ℃. Therefore, the new master alloy is deduced to introduce nucleating substrates for eutectic cells and to refine the eutectic cells in Sr-modifled A356 alloy. There is no poisonous interaction between the AI-10Si-2Fe master alloy and the Sr in this study. Consequently, the mechanical properties have been improved by the addition of the new master alloy.

Functions and mechanism of modification elements in eutectic solidification of Al-Si alloys:A brief review

Being used more and more widely in engineering,AlSi alloys comprise about 80%of all kinds of aluminum alloys,which are the most widely utilized nonferrous alloys.Although most Al-Si alloys consist of multiple components,the eutectics in the structure accounts for 50%-90%of the sum volume of such alloys.Therefore,understanding the modification mechanism and function rules of the AlSi eutectic solidification is the technical key in controlling the structures and properties of such casting alloys.The present paper chiefly reviews recent investigation developments and important conclusions along the lines of the functions of modification elements and their modification mechanism in the eutectic solidification of Al-Si alloys.

Reduction in secondary dendrite arm spacing in cast eutectic Al–Si piston alloys by cerium addition

The effects of Ce on the secondary dendrite arm spacing（SDAS） and mechanical behavior of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys were investigated. The reduction of SDAS at different Ce concentrations was evaluated in a directional solidification experiment via computer-aided cooling curve thermal analysis（CA-CCTA）. The results showed that 0.1wt%-1.0wt% Ce addition resulted in a rapid solidification time, ？ts, and low solidification temperature, ？T_S, whereas 0.1wt% Ce resulted in a fast solidification time, Δ^（ta-Al）, of the α-Al phase. Furthermore, Ce addition refined the SDAS, which was reduced to approximately 36%. The mechanical properties of the alloys with and without Ce were investigated using tensile and hardness tests. The quality index（Q） and ultimate tensile strength of（UTS） Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys significantly improved with the addition of 0.1wt% Ce. Moreover, the base alloy hardness was improved with increasing Ce concentration.

Solidification structure of eutectic Al-Si alloy under a high magnetic field-aid-electromagnetic vibration

An electromagnetic vibration was generated by simultaneously imposing a strong static magnetic field （up to 10 T） and an alternative electricity current to the metal. Its effects on the solidification structure of eutectic Al-Si alloy have been investigated experimentally. It is found that the eutectic structure has been refined by solely imposing high magnetic field while it is coarsened under the electromagnetic vibration. Furthermore, polyhedral Si grains and non-dendritic α-Al appeared when the electromagnetic vibration strength was strong enough. The refining of eutectic structure is attributed to the decrease of diffusion coefficient caused by the strong magnetic field. The coarseness of eutectic structure may be attributed to the convection caused by electromagnetic vibration. Strong convection may break co-operative growth of eutectic phases to form polyhedral Si grains and non-dendritic α-Al.

Modeling studies on divorced eutectic formation of high pressure die cast magnesium alloy

The morphology and content of the divorced eutectic in the microstructure of high pressure die casting(HPDC) magnesium alloy have a great influence on the final performance of castings. Based on the previous work concerning simulation of the nucleation and dendritic growth of primary α-Mg during the solidification of magnesium alloy under HPDC process, an extension was made to the formerly established CA(Cellular Automaton) model with the purpose of modeling the nucleation and growth of Mg-Al eutectic. With a temperature field and solute field obtained during simulation of the primary α-Mg dendrites as the initial condition of the modified CA model, modeling of the Mg-Al eutectic with a divorced morphology was achieved. Moreover, the simulated results were in accordance with the experimental ones regarding the distribution and content of the divorced eutectic. Taking a "cover-plate" die casting with AM60 magnesium alloy as an example, the rapid solidification with a high cooling rate at the surface layer of the casting led to a fine and uniform grain size of primary α-Mg, while the divorced eutectic at the grain boundary revealed a more dispersed and granular morphology. Islands of divorced eutectic were observed at the central region of the casting, due to the existence of ESCs(Externally Solidified Crystals) which contributed to a coarse and non-uniform grain size of primary α-Mg. The volume percentage of the eutectic β-Mg_(17)Al_(12) phase is about 2%-6% in the die casting as a whole. The numerical model established in this study is of great significance to the study of the divorced eutectic in the microstructure of die cast magnesium alloy.

Effect of Sr modification on microstructure and thermal conductivity of hypoeutectic Al−Si alloys

Trace amount of Sr(0.05 wt.%)was added into the hypoeutectic Al−Si(3−12 wt.%Si)alloys to modify their microstructure and improve thermal conductivity.The results showed that the thermal conductivity of hypoeutectic Al−Si alloys was improved by Sr modification,and the increment and increasing rate of the thermal conductivity gradually increased with Si content increasing.The improvement of thermal conductivity was primarily related to the morphology variation of eutectic Si phases.In Sr-modified Al−Si alloys,the morphology of eutectic Si phases was a mixed morphology of fiber structure and fine flaky structure,and the proportion of the fine flaky eutectic Si phases gradually decreased with Si content increasing.Under the Si content reaching 9 wt.%,the proportion of fine flaky eutectic Si phases was nearly negligible in Sr-modified alloys.Correspondingly,the increment and increasing rate of thermal conductivity of Sr-modified alloys reached the maximum and tended to be stable.

DENUCLEATION AND HIGH UNDERCOOLING OF Ni-32.5%Sn EUTECTIC ALLOY

Undercoolings up to 397 K(0.283 T_E)have been obtained for Ni-32.5% Sn eutectic alloy melted by superheating-cooling cycles and denucleating with inorganic glasses.The predomi- nant dissipation of heat for highly undercooled alloy melt is through radiation.An approxi- mate method is consequently derived to calculate its mean specific heat from measured cooling curves.With the aid of high speed cinematography,it is revealed that the surface or interface heterogeneous nucleation takes place in preference to homogeneous nucleation even though the undercooling has exceeded 0.2 T_E.

Effect of Ce on morphology of a(Al)-Al_2Cu eutectic in Al-Si-Cu alloy

The effect of Ce addition on the morphology of the α（Al）-Al2Cu eutectic in Al-Si-Cu alloy was investigated using thermal analysis, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam and energy dispersive analysis. The results show that the eutectic α（Al）-Al2Cu forms within small space between dendrites, silicon and AlSiFeMn plates. Eutectic Al2Cu is not lamellar but degenerated. However, Al2Cu in Ce-modified alloys is more compact. Ce partially dissolves in Al2Cu, which is a viable reason for the formation of coarser Al2Cu. The addition of Ce also increases the microhardness of theα（Al）-Al2Cu eutectic by almost 10%compared with the basic Al-Si-Cu alloy.

DENDRITE REFINING AND EUTECTIC TRANSFORMATION BEHAVIOR OF NICKEL-BASE SINGLE CRYSTAL (NBSC) SUPERALLOY

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Relationship between amounts of low-melting-point eutectics and hot tearing susceptibility of ternary Al−Cu−Mg alloys during solidification

A systematical study on the relationship between the amounts of different eutectic phases especially the low-melting-point(LMP)eutectics and the hot tearing susceptibility of ternary Al−Cu−Mg alloys during solidification was performed.By controlling the concentrations of major alloying elements(Cu,Mg),the amounts of LMP eutectics at the final stages of solidification were varied and the corresponding hot tearing susceptibility(HTS)was determined.The results showed that the Al−4.6Cu−0.4Mg(wt.%)alloy,which contained the smallest fraction of LMP eutectics among the investigated alloys,was observed to be the most susceptible to hot tearing.With the amount of total residual liquid being approximately the same in the alloys,the hot tearing resistance is considered to be closely related to the amounts of LMP eutectics.Specifically,the higher the amount of LMP eutectics was,the lower the HTS of the alloy was.Further,the potential mechanism of low HTS for alloys with high amounts of LMP eutectics among ternary Al−Cu−Mg alloys was discussed in terms of feeding ability and permeability as well as total viscosity evolution during solidification.

Formation of hypereutectic silicon particles in hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys under the influence of high-intensity ultrasonic vibration

The modification of eutectic silicon is of general interest since fine eutectic silicon along with fine primary aluminum grains improves mechanical properties and ductilities. In this study, high intensity ultrasonic vibration was used to modify the complex microstructure of aluminum hypoeutectic alloys. The ultrasonic vibrator was placed at the bottom of a copper mold with molten aluminum. Hypoeutectic AI-Si alloy specimens with a unique in-depth profile of microstructure distribution were obtained. Polyhedral silicon particles, which should form in a hypereutectic alloy, were obtained in a hypoeutectic AI-Si alloy near the ultrasonic radiator where the silicon concentration was higher than the eutectic composition. The formation of hypereutectic silicon near the radiator surface indicates that high-intensity ultrasonic vibration can be used to influence the phase transformation process of metals and alloys. The size and morphology of both the silicon phase and the aluminum phase varies with increasing distance from the ultrasonic probe/radiator. Silicon morphology develops into three zones. Polyhedral primary silicon particles present in zone I, within 15 mm from the ultrasonic probe/radiator. Transition from hypereutectic silicon to eutectic silicon occurs in zone II about 15 to 20 pm from the ultrasonic probe/radiator. The bulk of the ingot is in zone III and is hypoeutectic AI-Si alloy containing fine lamellar and fibrous eutectic silicon. The grain size is about 15 to 25 IJm in zone I, 25 to 35 IJm in zone II, and 25 to 55 pm in zone II1. The morphology of the primary a-AI phase is also changed from dendritic （in untreated samples） to globular. Phase evolution during the solidification process of the alloy subjected to ultrasonic vibration is described.

Microstructure Characteristics of Interaction Layer of Zn-Al Eutectic Alloy with Al_2O_3p/6061Al Composites

The interaction between Zn-AI eutectic alloy and Al203p/6061AI composites in the vacuum furnace was investigated. Great attention has been paid to the elements diffusion, the microstructure and formation of the interface between Zn-AI eutectic alloy and Al2O3p/6061AI composites. Experimental results show that Zn-AI eutectic alloy has a good wetting ability to Al2O3p/6061 Al composites and the wetting angle decreases with increasing the temperature in vacuum. After the interaction, an interaction layer forms between Zn-AI alloy and Al2O3p/6061 Al composites. The phases in the interaction layer mainly consist of α-AI(Zn), Al2O3 and CuZn5 resulted from the diffusion of elements from the Zn-AI alloy. Several porosities distribute in the region near the interface of the Zn-AI alloy/interaction layer. The amount of shrinkage voids in the interacting layer is relevant to the penetration of Zn element into Al2O3p/6061Al composites which is a function of temperature. So it is necessary to lower heating temperature in order to limit the Zn penetration.

Microstructure analyses and phase-field simulation of partially divorced eutectic solidification in hypoeutectic Mg-Al Alloys

In this study the partially divorced eutectic microstructure ofα-Mg andβ-Mg17Al12was investigated by electron backscatter diffraction,transmission electron microscopy,and phase-field modeling in hypoeutectic Mg-Al alloys.The orientation relationships between the individual eutecticαgrains,eutecticβphase,and primaryαgrains were investigated.While the amount of eutectic morphology is primarily determined by the Al content,the in-depth microstructure analyses and the phase-field simulation suggest non-interactive nucleation and growth of eutecticαphase in theβphase grown on the interdendritic primaryαdendrites.Also,phase-field simulations showed a preferred nucleation sequence where theβphase nucleates first and subsequently triggers the nucleation of eutecticαphase at the movingβphase solidification front,which supports the microstructural analysis results.