Effect of Nd on primary silicon and eutectic silicon in hypereutectic Al–Si alloy

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of Nd on primary silicon and eutectic silicon in hypereutectic Al-20 wt.%Si alloy has been investigated. It has been concluded that Nd in Al–P–Ti–TiC–Nd modifier can modify not only eutectic silicon but also primary silicon in hypereutectic Al-20 wt.%Si alloy. Statistical analysis shows that primary and eutectic silicon crystallite sizes (approximately 60 μm and 40 μm in length, respectively) in modified Al-20 wt.%Si alloy with Al–P–Ti–TiC modifier are about seven- and two-times larger than those (approximately 22 μm and 18 μm in length, respectively) in modified Al-20 wt.%Si alloy with Al–P–Ti–TiC–Nd modifier, respectively.