Effects of Mg, Si and Multiple Rare Earth Addition on Microstructures of Al<sub>3</sub>Ti /A356 Composites

Abstract

In-situ Al3Ti /A356 composites were synthesized by direct melt reaction method in Al-K2TiF6 system. The preparation techniques was discussed and the effects of Si, Mg, La (0.30%), Ce (0.30%) and multiple rare earth (0.15% La + 0.15%Ce) addition on microstructures of Al3Ti /A356 composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the morphology and size of Al3Ti reinforcement are influenced significantly by Si, Mg and the optimal preparation process is composition with latter Si, Mg alloying. The Al3Ti precipitations during solidification process are restrained by 0.30% La addition or 0.30% Ce addition and lead in the uniform of Al3Ti size and morphology. The radial growth of Al3Ti is strongly restrained by rare earth composite addition, and the main morphology is slender-spherical like.