The influence of Cu, Mg and Ni on the solidification and microstructure of Al-Si alloys

Abstract

The influence of alloying elements (Cu, Mg, and Ni) on eutectic nucleation, eutectic grain morphology and the final microstructure of an Al-10Si commercial purity alloy in unmodified and Sr-modified conditions was investigated. It was found that the nucleation and eutectic grain growth morphologies of both the unmodified and Sr-modified Al-Si eutectic were significantly influenced by the addition of ternary alloying elements to a degree dependent on when the intermetallic phase formed during the solidification of the alloy with respect to the Al-Si eutectic. In cases where an intermetallic phase nucleated prior to the onset of the Al-Si eutectic reaction, the eutectic nucleation frequency was affected by changes to the available nuclei population. In cases where the intermetallic nucleated after the Al-Si eutectic, segregation of the ternary solutes in front of the Al-Si eutectic interface changed the nucleation and macroscopic growth dynamics. The changes in nucleation and growth dynamics of the Al-Si eutectic due to the presence of solute altered the morphology of the eutectic silicon considerably. This study has revealed a number of insights into the mechanisms of nucleation and growth of the Al-Si eutectic.