On thermal analysis, macrostructure and microstructure of grain refined Al–Si–Mg cast alloys: role of Sr addition

Abstract

The present study aimed at investigating the influence of grain refinement in combination with Sr modification on the solidification behaviour of A356·2 alloy, and the resulting micro- and macrostructures obtained. Grain refinement of A356·2 alloy using Ti and B additions in the ranges of 0·02–0·5% and 0·01–0·5% respectively was studied using five different grain refiners in the form of Al–10%Ti, Al–5%Ti–1%B, Al–2·5%Ti–2·5%B, Al–1·7%Ti–1·4%%B and Al–4%B aluminium master alloys. Sr modification of the alloys was carried out using Sr additions of 30 and 200 ppm in the form of Al–10%Sr master alloy. The probable interactions between Sr and Ti and Sr and B were investigated using different metallographic techniques. Thermal analysis was also used to evaluate these interactions. Electron microprobe analysis revealed that adding >0·1%B to the A356·2 alloy may lead to formation of particles predominantly containing B and Sr, with a composition approaching SrB6.