Effects of ZnS modification on primary Si in hypereutectic Al-Si alloy

A new modifying agent, ZnS, was used as a refiner to modify primary silicon in hypereutectic AlSi alloy. The factors affecting the modification results, including addition level of ZnS and holding time, were investigated. The results showed that the average size of the most effectively modified primary silicon was 28.5 μm when the ZnS mixed powder addition was 0.15 wt.% with a holding time of 10 min. More important, the average size of primary silicon could remain below 40 μm despite the holding time extending to 120 min, which means ZnS is a promising modifying agent of primarySi in industrial applications.

Effects of Mg content on primary Mg_2Si phase in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys

Hypereutectic Al-Si alloy with variant Mg contents were fabricated by casting,and the effects of Mg content on the microstructure of primary Mg2Si particles in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys were investigated.The results show that the volume fraction of primary Mg2Si particles increases linearly with raising the Mg content,but the average size of Mg2Si particles does not exhibit a corresponding change.When the Mg content is 3%,á1 0 0？ directions have the fastest growth velocity,so that Mg2Si particles are likely to form octahedron shape.When gradually increasing the Mg content,the distributions of Mg and Si atoms on the solid-liquid interface become inhomogeneous,which results in the formation of irregular octahedron structures.Finally,when the Mg content is about 10%,the morphology of primary Mg2Si particles changes from the octahedron shape into various complex structures with a large size.

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.

Effect of mixing rate and temperature on primary Si phase of hypereutectic Al-20Si alloy during control ed diffusion solidification(CDS) process

Controlled Diffusion Solidification(CDS) is a promising process relied on mixing two liquid alloys of precisely controlled chemistry and temperature in order to produce a predetermined alloy composition. In this study, the CDS was employed to prepare hypereutectic Al-20%Si(mass fraction) alloy using Al-30%Si and pure Al of different temperatures. The mixing rate was controlled using three small crucibles with a hole of different diameters in their bottom. The effect of mixing rate and temperature on the microstructure of the primary Si-phase during the mixing of molten Al and Al-30%Si was studied. The results showed that when the diameter of the small crucible bottom hole is 16 mm, a higher mass mixing rate 0.217 kg·s-1 would results in a lower stream velocity 0.414 m·s-1. Conversely a lower mass mixing rate 0.114 kg·s-1(the diameter of the small crucible bottom hole is 8 mm) would result in a higher fluid stream velocity 0.879 m·s-1. A lower mass mixing rate would be better to refine the primary Si than a higher mass mixing rate. Meanwhile, the morphology and distribution of primary Si could also be improved. Especially, when Al-30%Si alloy at 820 °C was mixed with pure Al at 670 °C in the case of a mass mixing rate of 0.114 kg·s-1 and a pouring temperature of 680 °C, the average size of the primary Si phase would be only 18.2 μm. Its morphology would mostly be octahedral and the primary Si would distribute uniformly in the matrix microstructure. The lower mass mixing rate(0.114 kg·s-1) will enhance the broken tendency of Al-30%Si steam and the mixing agitation of resultant melt, so the primary Si phase can be better refined.

Effect of hot extrusion process on microstructure and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys

The hypereutectic Al-Si alloy was fabricated by hot extrusion process after solidified under electromagnetic stirring,and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy were studied.The results show that the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the alloy reached 229.5 MPa and 4.6%,respectively with the extrusion ratio of 10,and 263.2 MPa and 5.4%,respectively with extrusion ratio of 20.This indicates that the mechanical properties of the alloy are obviously improved with the increase of extrusion ratio.After hot extruded,the primary Si,eutectic Si,Mg2Si,AlNi,Al7Cu4Ni and Al-Si-Mn-Fe-Cr-Mo phases are refined to different extent,and the efficiency of refinement is obvious more and more with the increase of extrusion ratio.After T6 heat treatment,the sharp corners of these phases become passivated and roundish,and the mechanical properties are improved.The ultimate tensile strength of the extruded alloy after T6 heat treatment reaches 335.3 MPa with extrusion ratio of 10 and 353.6 MPa with extrusion ratio of 20.

Refinement of primary Si grains of A390 alloy slurry through serpentine channel pouring process

In this paper, the serpentine channel pouring process for preparing a semi-solid A390 alloy slurry and refining the primary Si grains of the A390 alloy, was used. The effects of the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves on the size of the primary Si grains in the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves have a major effect on the size and the distribution of primary Si grains. Under the experimental condition of the four-curve copper channel whose cooling water flow was 500 L·h-1 and the pouring temperature was 690 oC, the primary Si grains of the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were refined to the greatest extent and the lath-like grains were changed into granular ones. Additionally, the equivalent grain diameter and the average shape factor of the primary Si grains of the satisfactory semi-solid A390 alloy slurry are 18.6 μm and 0.8, respectively. Further, the refinement mechanism of the primary Si grains through the serpentine channel pouring process was analyzed and discussed. In summary, the primary Si nuclei could be easily precipitated due to the chilling effect of the channel inner wall, thus the primary Si grains were greatly refined. Meanwhile, the subsequent alloy melt fluid also promoted the separation of primary Si grains from the inner wall, further refining the primary Si grains.

Effect of neodymium on primary silicon and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-15%Si alloy

The mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys are mainly determined by size and morphology of the primary silicon phase.So,optical microscopy(OM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) were adopted to study affection of Nd on primary silicon of hypereutectic Al-15%Si alloy in this paper.The results of OM showed that pure Nd could effectively refine primary silicon of hypereutectic Al-15%Si alloy.When Nd addition was 0.3%,the average size of primary silicon reduced from 20-40 μm of initial sample to 10-20 μm of modified sample.XRD pattern showed that no new phase was formed after Nd modification.The results of mechanical properties test showed that whole properties of modified samples were significantly improved.Tensile strength increased about 32.6% from 147 MPa to 195 MPa.Elongation was increased about 160% from 1.0% to 2.6%.The improvement of mechanical properties should attribute to primary silicon refinement after modification.

Effect of Nd on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hypereutectic Al-25Si Alloy

The modification mechanism of Nd on Al-25Si alloy was studied. The result showed that pure Nd (0.3%) could significantly refine primary silicon in hypereutectic Al-25Si alloy. And the morphology of primary silicon was transformed from star-shaped to block and the size of primary silicon changed from 150～200 μm to 40～80 μm after modification. The morphology of silicon and elements presence was detected by means of SEM-EDS, XRD was carried out to detect the phase constitution before and after modification. It was found that no new phase formed and the lattice of silicon and aluminum increased after modification and most of Nd may exist as solids solute element of silicon and absorb on the surface of silicon. Mechanical property test results showed that after modification with 0.3% Nd, Tensile strength increased about 33% from 138 to 184 MPa, yield strength increased about 15% from 126 to 145 MPa, and elongation change was not obvious. The improvement of mechanical property should attribute to fine grain strength and purification of base metal after modification.

Influence of rheo-diecasting processing parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-30%Si alloy

The effects of pouring temperature,vibration frequency,and the number of curves in a serpentine channel,on themicrostructure and mechanical properties of Al-30%Si alloy processed by rheo-diecasting(RDC)were investigated.The semisolidAl-30%Si alloy slurry was prepared by vibration serpentine channel pouring(VSCP)process in the RDC process.The results showthat the pouring temperature,the vibration frequency,and the number of the curves strongly affect the microstructure and mechanicalproperties of Al-30%Si alloy.Under experimental conditions of a pouring temperature of850°C,a twelve-curve copper channel anda vibration frequency of80Hz,the primary Si grains are refined into fine compact grains with average grain size of about24.6μm inthe RDC samples assisted with VSCP.Moreover,the ultimate tensile strength(UTS),elongation and hardness of the RDC sample are296MPa,0.87%and HB155,respectively.It is concluded that the VSCP process can effectively refine the primary Si grains.Therefinement of primary Si grains is the major cause for the improvement of the mechanical properties of the RDC sample.

Effect of Y_2O_3 on microstructure and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-20%Si alloy

The effect of Y2O3 on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the hypereutectic Al-20%Si(mass fraction) alloy was investigated. The results show that, with the addition of Y2O3 into the Al-P-Ti-TiC modifier, the average size of primary silicon in the Al-20%Si alloy modified by Al-P-Ti-TiC-Y2O3 modifier (approximately 15μm or less) is significantly reduced, and the morphology of eutectic silicon changes from coarse acicular and plate like to refined fibrous. The Brinell hardness (HB189) and tensile strength (301 MPa) of Al-20%Si alloy modified by the Al-P-Ti-TiC-Y2O3 increase by 11.6% and 10.7%, respectively, for the alloys after heat treatment.

Al-10%LaCe中间合金制备及对过共晶Al-Si合金的变质作用

采用混熔法制备Al-10%LaCe中间合金,并对Al-25%Si合金进行变质处理,研究不同添加量的LaCe对Al-25%Si合金的变质作用。LaCe对Al-25%Si合金中的初晶硅和共晶硅都有着比较明显的细化作用,当LaCe的添加量达到1.0%时,初晶硅组织仍呈现出不规则五瓣星状及其他较复杂形状,其晶粒尺寸细化作用明显,共晶硅由长针状变为颗粒状。X射线衍射和扫描电镜分析结果表明,在变质后的合金中生成了新的含LaCe多元相。

Individual and synergistic effect of gamma alumina（γ-Al2O3） and strontium on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-20Si alloy

An optimized combination of gamma alumina (4 wt.%) and strontium (0.1 wt.%) was incorporated in cast Al-20Si alloy to obtain fine form of silicon. During casting process, the amount of γ-Al2O3 was varied from 0.5.6 wt.% to refine primary Si and Sr was varied from 0.05.0.1 wt.% to modify eutectic Si. The results showed that the average size of primary Si is 24 μm for addition of 4 wt.%γ-Al2O3 to the alloy whereas 0.1 wt.% Sr resulted in sphericity of eutectic Si to ~0.6 and average length of ~1.2 μm. The thermal analysis revealed that γ-Al2O3 can act as potential heterogeneous nucleation sites. Moreover, simultaneous addition of γ-Al2O3 and Sr does not poison γ-Al2O3 particles and inhibit their nucleation efficiency as in the case of combined addition of phosphorous and strontium to Al-20Si alloy. Therefore, it was concluded that enhanced tensile strength, i.e., ultimate tensile strength (increase by 20%) and elongation (increase by 23%) in Al-20Si.4γ-Al2O3.0.1wt.%Sr alloy as compared to as-cast Al.20Si alloy can be attributed to refinement of primary Si, modification of eutectic Si and the presence of α(Al) in the alloy as evident from eutectic shift.

B对过共晶Al-Si合金初晶Si的细化作用

研究了B对过共晶Al-20Si合金中初晶Si的细化作用。结果表明,B对过共晶Al-Si合金初晶Si有较好的变质效果。初晶Si的尺寸先随B含量的增加而减小,当B的添加量为0.065%时达到最佳的细化效果,之后初晶硅的尺寸开始随B含量的增加而增大。

Al-P变质对过共晶Al-Si合金组织与力学性能的影响

介绍了磷变质处理对过共晶铝硅合金显微组织的影响。首先采用不同含量的磷变质剂细化变质初晶硅,然后采用热处理的方式细化共晶硅,得到了磷变质剂的最佳加入量,并介绍了细化后合金的组织和力学性能。结果表明,通过该工艺能得到完全粒化的共晶硅,初晶硅晶粒较小,平均晶粒尺寸约为15μm。经T6处理后材料的抗拉强度可以达到358.367 MPa。

过共晶Al-Si合金的变质处理试验

根据Sr、P对过共晶Al-Si合金的变质机理,用Al-Sr(10%)合金、Al-P(3.5%)合金和C还原磷酸钠(赤P∶Na_3PO_4∶石墨C=1∶5.3∶2.5)分别对过共晶Al-Si合金进行变质处理。结果表明,过共晶Al-Si合金用Al-P(3.5%)合金变质效果最佳,显微组织下初生硅数量增多且呈球形均匀弥散分布,Al-P(3.5%)合金加入量在总量的1.1%~1.2%之间,最佳变质时间为20min左右,最稳定的变质温度应控制在780~810℃温度区间。

P-LaCe复合变质对过共晶Al-25%Si合金的变质效果

文章分别采用1.0%LaCe、0.8%P以及1.0%LaCe-0.8%P复合变质对Al-25%Si合金进行变质处理,研究不同变质剂对Al-25%Si合金的变质效果。经变质处理后,Al-25%Si合金中的初晶硅都有着不同程度的细化作用,0.8%P的变质效果为最佳,初晶硅由未变质的粗大的五瓣星状及其他较复杂形状转变为细的多边形状和板片状,平均晶粒尺寸由150μm~200μm细化至30μm~50μm,共晶硅以长针状分布,分布密度明显降低。单纯加1.0%LaCe处理后,合金中初晶硅形态上无变化,平均晶粒尺寸略有减小,共晶硅发生明显变化,从长针状变为颗粒状或短棒状,尺寸大幅减小。P-LaCe复合变质需控制好二者的添加量的配比,否则易产生过变质现象,降低变质效果。力学性能测试结果表明,经变质处理后的Al-25%Si合金的抗拉强度与硬度均不同程度增加,以0.8%P变质后的合金力学性能为最佳,与金相组织细化程度相对应。

Effect of Squeeze Casting on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hypereutectic Al-xSi Alloys

The effect of squeeze casting on microstructure and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-xS i alloys（x = 15, 17.5, 22 wt%） was investigated in this study. Results show that microstructure of the hypereutectic Al-x Si alloys was obviously improved by squeeze casting. The amount of coarse primary Si phase decreased, while that of fine primary α-Al dendrites increased with the increase of squeeze casting pressure. Due to the decrease of coarse primary Si particles, cracking of the matrix was reduced, whilst the fine microstructure, and mechanical properties of the squeeze casting alloys were improved. Compared with gravity casting alloys, mechanical properties of the hypereutectic Al-xS i alloys solidified at 600 MPa were improved significantly. Hardness of the squeeze casting hypereutectic Al-（15, 17.5, 22 wt%） Si alloys was improved by 15.91%, 12.23%, 17.48%, ultimate tensile strength was improved by 37.85%, 32.27%, 22.74%,and elongation was improved by 55.83%, 167.86%, 126.76%, respectively. Due to the uniform distribution of Si phases in squeeze casting Al-x Si alloys, their wear resistance was markedly enhanced.

电磁搅拌与变质复合作用对Al-20Si合金初生硅相的影响

使用电磁搅拌、变质处理及其复合工艺分别成功制备了过共晶Al20Si半固态浆料,研究了电磁搅拌和变质的复合作用对过共晶Al20Si合金中初生Si长大和形貌的影响。研究结果表明:复合作用可以获得比单种变质处理和电磁搅拌的过共晶Al20Si合金更加细小、更加圆整的初生Si组织。复合作用获得的初生硅比单一处理尺寸平均减小25.19%,圆整度平均提高8.40%。而且共晶Si组织也得到球化。复合作用细化组织的机理为:变质后施加旋转磁场,促进了变质剂的扩散,更多的初生Si与共晶Si组织相互打碎,深化了变质和电磁搅拌效果,细化显微组织。

Nd变质过共晶Al-17.5%Si合金的微观组织和断口形貌

采用单一稀土元素Nd对过共晶Al-17.5%Si合金进行变质;采用扫描电镜、金相显微镜、电子探针、透射电镜及X射线衍射等方法对变质前后合金的微观组织、成分和相组成进行分析;并对变质前后合金的断口形貌进行分析。结果表明：加入0.3%Nd（质量分数）到过共晶Al-17.5%Si合金中可同时变质初生硅和共晶硅,经过变质处理后,初生硅的形状由星形和不规则形状变为块状,尺寸由40~60μm减小到10~30μm,共晶硅由长针状变成球状或短棒状;初生硅区域的主要成分是硅,中心边缘几乎检测不到Nd元素,Nd沿晶界分布;与未变质合金相比,经0.3%Nd变质后的Al-17.5%Si合金硅相上孪晶密度增大,变质后的合金中没有生成新相,α（Al）相和硅相的晶格常数变大;经0.3%Nd变质后,合金的整体性能大幅度提高,抗拉强度提高了35.8%,从120 MPa提高到163 MPa,伸长率从0.8%提高到2.2%,提高了175%。

Sr对过共晶Mg-Si合金中初生Mg_2Si相变质的影响

利用Mg-20%Sr中间合金对过共晶Mg-Si合金进行变质处理,对比研究了碱土元素Sr加入量对Mg2Si初晶变质效果(主要包括形态和尺寸)的影响规律,并讨论其变质机制。研究结果表明:碱土元素Sr对过共晶Mg-Si合金中的Mg2Si初晶可有效变质。随着Sr含量的增加,Mg2Si初晶的平均尺寸和尺寸分布范围均逐渐降低,其形态由粗大树枝状晶、细小树枝晶、非规则外形颗粒到规则外形颗粒逐渐过渡。当Sr含量达到2.0%,此时Mg2Si初晶主要呈现为规则外形,平均尺寸为50μm左右。其变质机理应主要与碱土元素富集于Mg2Si相生长表面并抑制优先生长晶向的生长有关。