United modification of Al-24Si alloy by Al-P and Al-Ti-C master alloys

The modification effect of a new type of Al-P master alloy on Al-24Si alloys was investigated. It is found that excellent modification effect can be obtained by the addition of this new type of Al-P master alloy into Al-24Si melt and the average primary Si grain size is decreased below 47 μm from original 225 μm. It is also found that the TiC particles in the melt coming from Al8Ti2C can improve the modification effect of the Al-P master alloy. When the content of TiC particles in the Al-24Si melt is 0.03%, the improvement reaches the maximum and keeps steady with increasing content of TiC particles. Modification effect occurs at 50 min after the addition of the Al-P master alloy and TiC particles, and keeps stable with prolonging holding time.

Grain refinement of AZ31 magnesium alloy by new Al-Ti-C master alloys

New Al4C3-containing Al-Ti-C master alloys (Al-0.6Ti-1C and Al-1Ti-1C) were developed by introducing Ti element into Al-C melt using melt reaction method,in which most of the TiC particles distribute around Al4C3 particles. It is believed that most of the C firstly reacts with Al melt and form Al4C3 particles by the reaction Al(l)+C(s)→Al4C3(s),and after adding Ti into the Al-C melt,the size of Al4C3 particles is decreased and the distribution of Al4C3 is improved through the reaction Ti(solute)+Al4C3(s)→ TiC(s)+Al(l). With the addition of 1% Al-1Ti-1C master alloy,the average grain size of AZ31 is reduced sharply from 850 μm to 200 μm,and the grain morphology of α-Mg transits from a fully-developed equiaxed dendritic structure to a petal-like shape. Al-C-O-Mn-Fe compounds are proposed to be potent nucleating substrates for primary Mg. Appropriate addition of Ti is believed to increase the grain refinement efficiency of Al4C3-containing Al-Ti-C master alloys in AZ31 alloy.

Achieving further refinement of grain structure and improvement of mechanical properties in Al-12Si-4Cu-2Ni-1Mg alloy by Al-Ti-C-B master alloy addition and deep cryogenic treatment

Near-eutectic Al-Si alloys are widely used in automotive manufacturing due to their superior wear resistance and high temperature performance.Because of high Si content,the grain refinement of near-eutectic Al-Si alloy has been a problem for many years.In this study,the effect of deep cryogenic treatment(DCT)on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-12Si-4Cu-2Ni-Mg alloy with addition of Al-Ti-C-B master alloy was fully investigated.Results show that the average grain size of the alloy is greatly reduced from 0.92 mm to 0.50 mm,and the eutectic Si and Al7Cu4Ni precipitates are spheroidized and refined in Al-12Si-4Cu-2Ni-Mg after DCT for 24 h and aging treatment.Thereby these changes of microstructures result in a significant increment of about 22.5%in elongation and a slight enhancement of about 6.8%in tensile strength.Moreover,the refinement of microstructure also significantly improves the fatigue life of the alloy.

Grain reinement limit of commercial pure Al inoculated by Al-Ti-C(B) master alloys

The grain reifnement limits of commercial pure Al inoculated by Al-5Ti-1B, Al-5Ti-0.25C and Al-5Ti-0.3C-0.2B master al oys were studied, and the inlfuence of melting temperature on the grain reifning performance of these three master al oys was investigated using a high scope video microscope （HSVM）, a ifeld-emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM）, an electron probe micro-analyzer （EPMA） and X-ray diffraction （XRD） method. Results show that there is a grain reifnement limit of commercial pure Al reifned by these three master al oys; with the same addition level of 1.5% under the present experimental conditions, the grain reifnement limits （smal est average grain size） of commercial pure Al reifned by Al-5Ti-1B, Al-5Ti-0.25C and Al-5Ti-0.3C-0.2B master al oys are 50 μm, 80 μm and 80 μm, respectively. In addition, with an increase in the melting temperature of the pure Al, the grain reifning performance of Al-5Ti-1B and Al-5Ti-0.25C master al oys decreases, but the grain reifning performance of Al-5Ti-0.3C-0.2B changes little.

A new development of Al-Ti-C grain refining master alloys

Al Ti C master alloys have been prepared with a novel production method. A combination of X ray phase analysis, SEM and EDS was used to examine the phases and microstructures of the master alloys. The master alloys have block like Al 3Ti particles and submicron size TiC X with X ranging from 0.49 to 0.78 and show excellent grain refining performance for commercially pure aluminum. Titanium carbides were observed at the crystallization centers in refined castings.

Grain refining mechanism of Al-3B master alloy on hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys

Al-3B master alloy is a kind of efficient grain refiner for hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of undissolved AlB2 particles in Al-3B master alloy on the grain refinement of Al-7Si. It is found that the number and the settlement of AlB2 particles in the melt all have effect on the grain refining efficiency. On the basis of experiments and theoretical analysis, a new grain refinement mechanism was proposed to explain the grain refinement action of Al-3B on hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys. The formation of ＇Al-AlB2＇ shell structure is the direct reason for grain refinement and the undissolved AlB2 particles is the indirect nucleating base for subsequent α（Al） phase.

Preparation of V-Ti-Fe master alloys by metallothermic reduction method

V-Ti-Fe master alloys were prepared by metaUothermic reduction method, and the influences of the mass ratio of V205 to TiO2, Al and Al-Mg alloy addition amounts on the metal recovery rates and alloy compositions were investigated. The results show that appropriate technological parameters are： the mass ratio of V205 to TiO2 is 0.5：1, Al addition represents 95% of the theoretical value, and the Al-Mg alloy addition amount is one third that of the Al addition. The results from energy spectrum analysis show that V and Fe distribute uniformly in the prepared alloy, while the segregation for Ti, i.e. Ti-rich phase is detected. A spray refming process was carried out to reduce the impurity contents of Al and O in the prepared alloys. The Al content drops from 4.27% to 1.86%, and the O content drops from 2.10% to 0.91% after the refining process.

Influence of Al-Mn master alloys on microstructures and electrochemical properties of Mg-Al-Pb-Mn alloys

Mg-Al-Pb alloy is one of the newly developed materials for the seawater activated batteries. As-cast Mg-6Al-5Pb and Mg-6Al-5Pb-0.5Mn alloys with different additions of Al-15%Mn （mass fraction）, Al-30%Mn and Al-50%Mn master alloys were prepared by melting and casting. Their microstructures were observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties, hydrogen evolution and mass loss of Mg-6Al-5Pb-0.5Mn alloys were studied. The results show that Mg-6Al-5Pb-0.5Mn alloy added with Al-50%Mn master alloy provides more negative corrosion average potential （-1.66 V）, smaller corrosion current density （7 μm/cm2） and lower free corrosion rate （0.51 mg·cm-2·h-1） than other alloys. This is probably attributed to the presence of Al11Mn4 phase, which facilitates the self-peeling of corrosion products and enlarges the electrochemical reaction area as well as enhances the electrochemical activity.

Production of Al-B master alloys by mixing KBF_4 salt into molten aluminum

Two mixing techniques,the immersion method and the vortex method,were adopted in the production of Al-3%B master alloys since the generally used production route involving the direct addition of KBF4 salt to molten aluminum has several drawbacks.The experimental results demonstrate that the Al-B master alloys produced by the immersion method show a microstructure characterized by the appearances of AlB12 phase and many agglomerations of boride particles,while the Al-B master alloy produced by the vortex method exhibits a well dispersed microstructure of AlB2 particles in the matrix.The distinct microstructure features result from the differences in the stirring speed during the salt additions and the average size of the salt droplets achieved by the salt additions.

Grain refining effect of Mg by novel particle cluster-containing Al-Ti-C master alloy

A novel A1-Ti-C master alloy containing A14C3 and TiC particle clusters, which exhibits great refining potential for Mg, was prepared. With the addition of 2% A1-Ti-C master alloy, the grains transform to equiaxed crystal with a diameter of （110-a：17） ~tm. The results indicate that A14C3 and TiC particle cluster, rather than a single particle, plays an important role in the refining process. Compared with the simplex smooth nucleating substrate, concave regions on the particle cluster provide easier route for the transformation from liquid Mg atoms to stable nucleus. Nucleus with a small size can also reach the critical nucleation radius when they attach on the concave regions of the substrate. A14C3 and TiC particle clusters thus become more favorable nucleating substrate for a-Mg grains.

Al-Si-P master alloy and its modification and refinement performance on Al-Si alloys

An Al-Si-P master alloy has been developed by an in-situ reaction and the electron probe microanalyzer （EPMA） results show that there are many pre-formed AlP particles contained in the master alloy. Silicon introduced into the system plays an important role in remarkably improving the distribution and content of AlP particles due to their similar crystal structure and lattice parameters. ZL109 alloys have shown fast modification response to the addition of 0.5% Al-15Si-3.5P master alloy at 720℃, with a mass of primary Si precipitating in size of about 15 μm. Also, coarse primary Si grains in AI-30Si alloy can be refined dramatically from 150 μm to 37 μm after the addition of 2.0% Al-15Si-3.5P master alloy at 850℃. The P recovery of the Al-15Si-3.5P master alloy is much higher than that of a Cu-8.5P master alloy due to the pre-formed AlP particles.

Refinement of primary Si in Cu-50Si alloys with novel Al-Zr-P master alloy

In this article, a novel Al-6Zr-2P master alloy with ZrP particles was successfully synthesized, and the refining performance of this novel master alloy for the primary Si in Cu-50Si alloys was also investigated. By means of the fracture plane observation, it is found that the ZrP phase would precipitate first in the solidification pro- cess, and then, the ZrAl3 phase grows around them. Fur- thermore, it is observed that the refining effect can be remarkably improved by changing the addition sequence of the raw materials. After the melting of commercial Cu, the 2.0 wt% Al-6Zr-2P master alloy and crystalline Si were added in sequence, and the mean size of the primary Si in Cu-50Si alloy can be significantly refined from 255.7 to 75.3 gm. Meanwhile, the refining mechanism was dis- cussed in detail.

Influences of Preparation Conditions and Melt Treatment Procedures on Melt Treatment Performance of Al-5Ti-B and Al-10Sr Master Alloys

The influences of preparation conditions of Al-5Ti-B （as-cast and hot-rolled） and Al-10Sr （as-cast and hotextruded） and melt treatment procedures on the grain refinement and modification performance of A356 alloy are experimentally studied. For the two master alloys, the 50% reduction is sufficient to meet the demands of the efficient grain refinement and modification of A356 alloy. When Al-STi-B is introduced into the melt prior to degassing, the grain refinement efficiency of Al-5Ti-B will be greatly increased due to the better dispersity of TiB2 particles. Al-5Ti-B master alloy is less prone to affect the modification effect of Al-10Sr when they are used together.

Effect of Y Addition on Microstructure and Constituent Phases of Al-Ti-C Master Alloy

Al-Ti-C master alloy was prepared by SHS (Self-propagating High temperature Synthesis)-melting technique. Effect of yttrium addition level on the microstructures of the master alloy was studied by XRD, SEM and EDS. The experimental results show that the addition of 1.0% Y is beneficial to the formation of TiC particles; Al-Ti-C-1.0Y consists of rod-like and blocky TiAl3, TiC, Al3Y and α-Al matrix. Y is found around TiC particles in Al-Ti-C-0.5Y master alloy while blocky (AlTiY) phase appears in Al-Ti-C-1.0Y master alloy. Al3Y with dendritic morphology and small blocky Al2Y except for TiC are found in Al-Ti-C-2-0Y master alloy.

Grain refinement of AZ31 magnesium alloy by Al-Ti-C-Y master alloy

Al-Ti-C-Y master alloy was prepared by combining SHS technique and melting-casting method. The microstructure of master alloy and its grain-refining effect on AZ31 alloy were investigated by means of OM, XRD, SEM and EDS. Experimental results indicated that the prepared master alloy consisted of α-Al, TiAl3, TiC and Al3Y phases, and exhibited good grain-refining performance of AZ31 alloy. Morphology of α-Mg changed from coarse dendritic to free equiaxed and the average grain size of α-Mg matrix reduced from the original 580 to 170 μm after adding 1.0 wt.% master alloy. The grain refining efficiency of Al-Ti-C-Y master alloy on AZ31 alloy was mainly attributed to heterogeneous nucleation of TiC particles and grain growth restriction of Al-Y compound or TiC at grain boundaries.

Quality assessment of aluminum-based grain refining master alloys

Based on some theoretical and practical approaches, the main stages of the quality assessment of aluminum-basedgrain refining master alloys have been revealed. Methods for the quality improvement of Al-Ti and Al-Ti-B grain refinershave been described.

STUDY OF THE NUCLEATION MECHANISM OF α-Al GRAINS AFTER ADDITION OF Al-Ti-B MASTER ALLOYS

Nucleation sites of α-Al grains after addition of an Al-Ti-B master alloy into pure aluminium have been investigated using EPMA. The results show that either TiAl3 or boride particales can nucleate α-Al grains. But the number of TiAl3 nucleants is reduced with the holding time prolonged and the boride-nuclei are increasing gradually. Based on these results, a new refining method, adding molten Al-Ti-B into commercially pure aluminium, which has a quicker and better refining efficiency is presented.

Effect of Al-TiB master alloy addition on microstructure, wear and compressive deformation behaviour of aluminum alloys

Aluminum-10% TiB master alloy was added in various proportions in 7178 Al alloy in order to examine the effect of TiB on grain refinement, wear and compressive deformation of the later one. Microstructural characterization reveals that TiB particles act as grain refiners for primary base alloy and result in globular dendrites. It was observed that the wear resistance and strength of the alloy decreased when the master alloy addition increased beyond 20%, even though the dendrites become much finer and almost spherical in nature.

Effect of Al5Ti1B master alloy on microstructures and properties of AZ61 alloys

AZ61 alloys with different levels of Al5Ti1B master alloy additions were prepared by conventional casting method.The effects of Al5Ti1B contents and holding time on microstructures and microhardness of AZ61 alloys were studied by XRD,OM and microhardness testing techniques.The results show that when the addition level of Al5Ti1B master alloy is less than 0.5%(mass fraction),the average grain size of the alloys decreases with the increase of Al5Ti1B content at the same holding time.But the grain size increases somewhat with further addition of Al5Ti1B.The average grain size of the alloys decreases with the increase of the holding time as it is less than 30 min at the same addition level of Al5Ti1B.It is considered that TiB2 particles can serve as the heterogeneous nucleation sites ofα-Mg during solidification,and heterogeneous nucleation is the main reason for the grain refinement of AZ61 alloys.The microhardness of the refined AZ61 alloys with 1.0%Al5Ti1B addition is increased by about 8%.

Effect of AlP master alloy on grain refinement of primary silicon in eutectic Al-Si alloys

To obtain the finer primary silicon crystals, the proprietary Al-P masteralloy was adopted to modify the eutectic Al-Si alloys and the most suitable modification process wasmade in the experiments. The SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and DSC (Differential ScanningCalorimeter) analysis indicate that the Al-P modifier has more advantages over Cu-P and Fe-Pmodifier in easily addition, no elemental alteration and less undercooling of primary silicon'ssolidification, which suggests the Al-P master alloy is an effective modifier of eutectic Al-Sialloys.