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.     

Effect of Cerium on the Viscosity of Liquid Fe-C Alloy of Eutectic Content

The viscosities of liquid Fe-4.30C and Fe-4.30C-Ce alloys were measured by oscillating crucible viscometer. The results show that viscosity of Fe-4.30C alloy changes from 5.50 to 8.30 MPa~s when the liquid is cooled from 1425℃ to the melting point. The abnormity of viscosity of Fe-4.30C alloy near the melting point is reasonable due to the formation of graphite. The addition of cerium especially with content higher than 0.21% causes an evidently decrease in viscosity for eutectic alloy resulting from increase of free volume and size decrease of atom cluster in the liquids. It can be concended that the existence of C-Ce compound contributes to the discontinuous of viscosity at 1340 ～ 1370 ℃ for the Fe-4.30C-Ce alloy by experinments with differential scanning calorimeter.     

Mechanical properties of eutectic alloys β-NiAl + γ-Re and spray coatings

We have studied the structure and mechanical properties of eutectic alloys β-NiAl + γ-Re of the ternary system Ni-Al-Re. We have established that the best combination of mechanical characteristics, determined by local loading with a rigid indentor, is exhibited by the alloy containing 2.5 at.% Re, the structure of which consists of the eutectic β-NiAl + γ-Re. Rhenium inclusions can inhibit movement of cracks in the material, and also can play the role of traps for cracks. Brittle intercrystallite fracture is characteristic of the alloy consisting of one-phase intermetallic NiAl. Mixed fracture is typical of the eutectic alloy β-NiAl + γ-Re, with transcrystallite cleavage predominating. We have shown that plastic interlayers of a rhenium phase within the microstructure increase the crack resistance of a detonation coating made from eutectic alloys β-NiAl + γ-Re. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4(448), pp. 78–87, March–April, 2006.     

Computer Aided Cooling Curve Analysis and Microstructure of Cerium Added Hypereutectic Al–Si (LM29) Alloy

Thermal analysis of LM29 alloy and Ce added LM29 alloys was carried out. The effect of cerium addition on solidification parameters and microstructural features of hypereutectic Al-Si (LM29) alloy was studied using Newtonian analysis technique. Thermal analysis parameters such as primary and eutectic phase nucleation and solidus temperatures were determined. The addition of Ce to LM29 alloy decreased the nucleation temperature of primary silicon and eutectic silicon. The microstructural examination of Ce added LM29 alloys revealed the presence of a polyhedral shaped Al–Si–Ce compound that might have caused the refinement of primary and eutectic silicon. The dendrite coherency point temperature of LM29 alloy was found to be suppressed on addition of Ce.     

Modification of eutectic silicon andβ-Al5FeSi phases in as-cast ADC12 alloys by using samarium addition

The effects of Sm additions (0, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.%and 1.5 wt.%) on the eutectic Si and β-Al5FeSi phases of ADC12 as-cast alloys were studied by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SE...     

电热法生产铸造用共晶铝硅合金的能耗分析

介绍了电热法生产铸造用铝硅合金的工艺流程,同时对兑掺法和电热法生产铸造用铝硅合金的能耗进行了分析,结果表明：电热法生产共晶铝硅合金与兑掺法相比可节能5%以上,成本可降低700元以上。     

稀土La对半固态A356初生相细化机制的研究

利用Al-La稀土中间合金对液态A356铝合金进行了细化处理,并用低过热度浇注技术制备了半固态A356铝合金浆料,研究了稀土La对所制备半固态A356铝合金的初生α相形貌和尺寸的影响.研究结果表明,含有适量稀土La的A356铝合金经低过热度浇注可制备具有颗粒状和蔷薇状初生α相的半固态浆料,稀土La可显著改善半固态A356铝合金中初生α相的晶粒尺寸和颗粒形貌.稀土La对半固态A356铝合金的初生α相细化机理可能与稀土在铝合金中诱发的共晶反应有关.     

微量Ce对细化A356合金初生相的作用

利用低过热度浇注技术制备了半固态A356-Ce合金浆料,研究了稀土Ce对半固态A356合金的初生相形貌和尺寸的影响.研究结果表明:含有适量稀土Ce的A356铝合金经低过热度浇注可制备具有颗粒状和蔷薇状初生相的半固态浆料,合金熔体等温温度会影响Ce细化半固态A356合金中初生相的效果.Ce对半固态A356铝合金的初生相细化机理与稀土在铝合金中诱发的共晶反应有关.      

Development of bulk metallic glasses based on the Dy-Al binary eutectic composition

A series of dysprosium-based ternary, quadruple, and quintuple bulk metallic glasses （BMGs） based on Dy-Al binary eutectic composition were obtained with the partial substitution of Co, Gd, and Ni elements, for dysprosium. The results showed that the Dy31Gd25Co20Al24 alloy, which had the best glass forming ability （GFA）, could be cast into an amorphous rod with a diameter of 5 ram. The GFA of alloys was evaluated on the basis of the supercooled liquid region width, 7 parameter, the formation enthalpy, and the equivalent electronegativity difference of amorphous alloys. It was found that the eutectic composition was closely correlated with the GFA of the Dy-based BMGs.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of unidirectionally solidified Al-Si-Ni ternary eutectic

Al-10.98 pct Si-4.9 pct Ni ternary eutectic alloy was unidirectionally solidified at growth rates from 1.39μm/sec to 6.95μm/sec. Binary Al-Ni and Al-Si eutectics prepared from the same purity metals were also solidified under similar conditions to characterize the growth conditions under the conditions of present study. NiAl₃ phase appeared as fibers in the binary Al-Ni eutectic and silicon appeared as irregular plates in the binary Al-Si eutectic. However, in the ternary Al-Si-Ni eutectic alloy both NiAl₃ and silicon phases appeared as irregular plates dispersed in α-Al phase, without any regular repctitive arrangement. The size and spacing of NiAl₃ and Si platelets in cone shaped colonies decreased with an increase in the growth rate of the ternary eutectic. Examination of specimen quenched during unidirectional solidification indicated that the ternary eutectic grows with a non-planar interface with both Si and NiAl₃ phases protruding into the liquid. It is concluded that it will be difficult to grow regular ternary eutectic structures even if only one phase has a high entropy of melting. The tensile strength and modulus of unidirectionally solidified Al-Si-Ni eutectic was lower than the chill cast alloys of the same composition, and decreased with a decrease in growth rate. Tensile modulus and strength of ternary Al-Si-Ni eutectic alloys was greater than binary Al-Si eutectic alloy under similar growth conditions, both in the chill cast and in unidirectionally solidified conditions.     

稀土铈对化学沉积Co-Ni-B合金镀层结构和性能的影响

研究了稀土铈对化学沉积Co-Ni-B合金层化学组成、结构和性能的影响。结果表明：微量稀土铈的加入提高了镀层中钴的含量，降低了镍和硼的含量；使镀层由非晶态转变为品态；稀土铈也明显地提高了镀层的显微硬度，在一定的范围内，镀液中稀土铈添加量越多，镀层的铈含量和显微硬度也越高；稀土铈还提高了镀层的饱和磁化强度，降低了剩余磁化强度和娇顽力，含铈镀层显示出了良好的软磁性能。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of unidirectionally solidified Al-Si-Ni ternary eutectic

Al-10.98 pct Si-4.9 pct Ni ternary eutectic alloy was unidirectionally solidified at growth rates from 1.39μm/sec to 6.95μm/sec. Binary Al-Ni and Al-Si eutectics prepared from the same purity metals were also solidified under similar conditions to characterize the growth conditions under the conditions of present study. NiAl₃ phase appeared as fibers in the binary Al-Ni eutectic and silicon appeared as irregular plates in the binary Al-Si eutectic. However, in the ternary Al-Si-Ni eutectic alloy both NiAl₃ and silicon phases appeared as irregular plates dispersed in α-Al phase, without any regular repctitive arrangement. The size and spacing of NiAl₃ and Si platelets in cone shaped colonies decreased with an increase in the growth rate of the ternary eutectic. Examination of specimen quenched during unidirectional solidification indicated that the ternary eutectic grows with a non-planar interface with both Si and NiAl₃ phases protruding into the liquid. It is concluded that it will be difficult to grow regular ternary eutectic structures even if only one phase has a high entropy of melting. The tensile strength and modulus of unidirectionally solidified Al-Si-Ni eutectic was lower than the chill cast alloys of the same composition, and decreased with a decrease in growth rate. Tensile modulus and strength of ternary Al-Si-Ni eutectic alloys was greater than binary Al-Si eutectic alloy under similar growth conditions, both in the chill cast and in unidirectionally solidified conditions.     

Equivalent Activity Coefficient Phenomenon of Cerium Reacting with Lead or Bismuth in Ag, Cu and Zn Alloy

The relation between contents of cerium and impurity lead or bismuth to their activity coefficient in Ag,Cu and Zn-base alloy was calculated and analyzed by using the ternary system Chou model. The thermodynamic calculation results show that the “equivalent activity coefficient phenomenon” emerges among the activity coefficient of solute in a certain range of cerium (or at a certain point) for the Ce-Pb-X and Ce-Bi-X (X = Ag, Cu or Zn) ternary alloy system. Under this condition, the activity coefficient of solute has nothing to do with its own concentration. The preliminary theoretical analysis to this phenomenon was also made.     

Effect of Homogenization Treatment on Microstructure and Eutectic Precipitates in Ce-Containing 15Cr–22Ni–1Nb Austenitic Heat-Resistant Stainless Steel

The effects of homogenization temperature and time on microstructure and eutectic precipitates in Ce-containing heat-resistant stainless steel are studied. The increase in the homogenization temperature and time promotes the diffusion of alloying elements and the transition from dendrite structure to austenitic grain. Laves phase particles are fully dissolved after the homogenization of the ingots regardless of the cerium contents and homogenization temperature and time, except for the case of the homogenization at 1130 °C for 4 h. Honeycomb Laves phases gradually dissolve and become clusters of small blocky during homogenization treatment. The amount of eutectic NbC dissolved into the matrix is increased with the increase in the homogenization temperature and time. The solubility of niobium and carbon in austenite is increased with increasing the cerium content, which is beneficial to the dissolution of eutectic NbC. The distribution homogeneity of alloying elements in the austenitic matrix is increased with the increase in the cerium content. The homogenization temperature for reaching full diffusion of alloying elements into austenitic matrix is decreased with increasing the homogenization time. The decrease in the secondary dendrite arm spacing by cerium addition is favorable to the homogenization of alloying elements during homogenization treatment.     

Characteristics of excess phase in cast high-manganese steel

The formation of the excess phase in high-manganese steel is considered over a wide range of cooling rates. This phase, which consists of a phosphide eutectic and secondary carbides, may be deposited both along the grain boundaries and within the grains. At low cooling rates, the phosphide eutectic is mainly formed, with a small quantity of secondary carbides. In addition, excess phase with mixed morphology is encountered. It consists of the eutectic and secondary carbide, with a coherent boundary between them. With increase in the cooling rate, the excess phase consists primarily of secondary carbides; its size is reduced. The influence of the cooling rate on the chemical composition of the excess phase is also of interest. Increase in cooling rate is found to reduce the manganese content in the secondary carbides deposited. The ratio between iron and manganese in the phosphide eutectic does not depend on the cooling rate and is practically constant.     

Mathematical modeling of solidification paths in ternary alloys: Limiting cases of solute redistribution

A simple mathematical framework is provided for calculating solidification paths of ternary alloys for equilibrium, paraequilibrium, and nonequilibrium conditions. The results are useful for estimating the possible range of primary solidification paths, the type of monovariant reaction expected to occur, and the relative amount of primary, monovariant eutectic and ternary eutectic constituents that form during solidification. Example calculations show that, for solidification of a ternary eutectic alloy under equilibrium conditions, the monovariant eutectic reaction will only occur when the nominal alloy concentration is above the maximum solid solubility. This result is similar to the binary case. For paraequilibrium conditions, a monovariant eutectic reaction is always expected to occur, but solidification can terminate before the invariant ternary eutectic reaction is reached. Finally, for nonequilibrium conditions, both the monovariant and invariant ternary eutectic reactions are always expected to occur, which is similar to the binary nonequilibrium case. The direction of liquid enrichment on the monovariant eutectic line can also be determined from the results.     

Investigation on the modification behavior of A356 alloy inoculated with a Sr-Y composite modifier

In the present paper, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to examine the effects of a Sr-Y composite modifier on the microstructure of A356 alloy. After adding Y to A356, YAl 3 compounds formed, and the size of the α (Al) crystal nucleus increased. The degree of supercooling caused by Sr-Y composite modifier was higher than Sr modification by 2.7 °C, leading to an increased nucleation rate. This increase in supercooling temperature was favorable to the refinement of eutectic structure of the alloy and its eutectic reaction was delayed to the maximum extent. The Si phase in the as-cast Sr-Y composite-modified A356 alloy was either granular or flaky. No large flakes of eutectic Si were found, and the modification effects were completely comparable with those obtained using a lone Sr modifier. After T6 heat treatment, most of the eutectic Si showed a grain-like shape with smaller grains. No eutectic Si with long-strip shapes, significant enhancements in the particle roundness and evenness of the Si crystals, and increased globosity were observed. Both the roundness and evenness of the grained Si crystals were enhanced, and the amount of globular eutectic Si available increased, these findings showed that excellent modification effects were achieved.     

磁场作用下合金元素在AZ31镁合金中的分布

研究了镁合金AZ31分别在无磁场及磁场作用条件下凝固的微观结构及合金元素的分布；对凝固过程中磁场的分布进行了数值模拟。结果表明，与无磁场处理凝固的镁合金组织比较，镁合金AZ31的凝固过程在磁场作用条件下合金元素在晶界上和晶内的分布有较大的变化，在较强静磁场作用下聚集在晶界上的共晶体组织明显减少，共晶组织形成的网络变得不连续，同时在晶内和晶界附近出现了大量近似球状的共晶质点，提高了合金元素在晶内的固溶度，有利于改善镁合金的综合性能。     

Effects of cerium and phosphorus on microstructures and properties of hypereutectic AI-21% Si alloy

The influences of P and rare earth (RE) complex modifier on the microstructure and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al-21%Si alloy were studied. The ingots were made by metal mold casting and the proportion of Ce+P ingredient was different. The result showed that the size of grains could be refined obviously by the Ce+P modifier and the effect of phosphorus was more intensive. The primary silicon crystal was refined, while the needle-like eutectic silicon was turned fibrous or short. The alloy mechanical properties had the best performance when 0.08%P and 0.6%Ce were added. The modification of primary silicon grains mainly depended on the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism, and the metamorphic mechanism of eutectic silicon was explained by adsorbing-twinning theory. The strengthening mechanism of experimental alloy was also discussed. The σb, 20 ℃ increases from 236.2 to 287.6 MPa and σb , 300 ℃ increases from 142.5 to 210 MPa.     

Effect of the chemical composition of Fe-Mn-C-P alloys on the brittle-ductile transition temperature in the solidification range

The brittle-ductile transition temperature in the solidification range depends on the composition of the phase which solidifies as the last one. The paper presents a thermochemical study of Fe-Mn-C-P system, determining the conditions of crystallisation of carbides, phosphides and the pseudo-ternary eutectic M^L-M₃C-M₃P. Manganese raises the phosphorus concentration in eutectic. The eutectic temperature attains its maximum at about 6% of Mn. Then the brittle-ductile transition temperature is about 30 K higher than in ternary Fe-C-P alloy. A further raise is possible when the alloy is modified by an element forming stable, solide carbide, for ex. titanium. The results of theoretical analysis were verified by experimental work. The influence of titanium on the inclusions appearing in the vicinity of hot cracks of Hadfield cast steel has been studied.