Effect of combined grain refinement and modification on microstructure and mechanical properties of hypoeutectic, eutectic and hypereutectic Al-Si alloys

Abstract

The effect of melt treatment owing to the combined addition of grain refiner and modifier on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si alloys having 7% (hypoeutectic), 12% (eutectic) and 15% silicon (hypereutectic) is studied. 1 wt. % of Al-1Ti-3B Master alloy was used as grain refiner. For modification of eutectic Si, 0.2 wt. % of Al-10Sr Master alloy was added to hypoeutectic alloy and 0.4 wt. % is added to eutectic alloy as well as hypereutectic alloy. Furthermore, refinement of primary Si in hypereutectic alloy was achieved by addition of 0.04 wt. % of phosphorus. The goal of this investigation is to determine the influence of combined addition of grain refiner and modifier on mechanical properties and qualitatively correlate with the microstructural changes. 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.