Effect of chilling and cerium addition on microstructure and cooling curve parameters of Al-14%Si alloy

Abstract

Al-14%Si alloys, with and without cerium, were cast at varying cooling rates by solidifying them in a crucible and against chills. The effect of melt treatment and chilling on microstructure and cooling curve parameters of the alloy was assessed. Ce treated alloys solidified in clay graphite crucible at a slow cooling rate showed refinement of primary silicon and the formation of Al-Si-Ce ternary intermetallic compound. The addition of Ce to the alloy solidified against chills resulted in simultaneous refinement and modification of primary and eutectic silicon. Nucleation temperatures of both primary and eutectic silicon decreased on addition of cerium. The formation of the intermetallic compound decreased with increase in cooling rate, leading to the modification of the eutectic silicon. The increase in the degree of modification of the eutectic Si was associated with the decrease in the volume fraction of the intermetallic compound formed. © 2015 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Published by Maney on behalf of the Institute.