Effects of Grain Refining and Modification on Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of Multielement Al-7.5Si Cast Alloy

Abstract

With orthogonal tests the effects of grain refiners and modifiers, Al-10Sr, rare earth (RE) and Al-Ti-5B, on the mechanical properties of Al-Si alloy for automobile cylinder blocks were studied. The best result occurred when the proportion of refiners and modifiers was Al-10Sr = 0.1wt%, RE = 0.3wt%, Al-5Ti-B = 0.8wt%. With SEM and EDS the as-cast microstructures of materials after grain refining and modification were observed and analyzed. Tiny branch-shaped AlSi phase, thin-striped AlCu phase, new small bone-shaped AlSiMn phase, new leaf-shaped or feathered B(AlCuCe) phase as well as the phases of other metal compounds made the as-cast microstructures more complicated and more compact after grain refining and modification. Some brittle phases reduced in size obviously and distributed in the grain boundaries of plastic α-phase in network, which acted as intercrystalline strengthening to certain degree. During the tensile deformation these brittle phases could reduce the stress concentration, impeded dislocation movement, and then strengthened the alloy matrix. In addition after grain refining and modification the porosity was significantly reduced.