Research of the Morphology and Distribution of the Primary Silicon in Al-18Si Alloy under a Gradient High Magnetic Field

Abstract

A gradient high magnetic field effected significantly the morphology and distribution of the primary silicon grains in Al-18Si alloy. Experimental studies shew that in the gradient high magnetic field the primary silicon phase grains, which are large plate-like or five-star-like in the case of solidification without magnetic field, are accumulated on the top of the specimen and refined remarkably with the morphology of polygonal or nodular shapes when the alloy solidifies from the semisolid state. In the segregated layer of the silicon, the distribution of the silicon grains is homogeneous. The size of the primary silicon grains decreases and the grain number density rises with the increase of the magnetic strength maintaining the magnetization force unchangeable. It seems that the high magnetic field influences the diffusion of silicon. Theoretical models have been proposed to explain the refining and the distribution of the silicon grains.