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Effects of Al–Ti–C–Ce Master Alloy on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hypoeutectic Al–7%Si Alloy

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Abstract

It is well known that the mechanical properties of hypoeutectic Al–7%Si alloys are influenced by the size, morphology, and distribution of primary α-Al and eutectic Si crystals. In the present work, a novel Al–Ti–C–Ce master alloy was prepared by the pure molten aluminum thermal explosion reaction, and its effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of hypoeutectic Al–7%Si alloy were investigated. The results show that the Al–Ti–C–Ce master alloy containing α-Al, granular TiC, lump-like TiAl3, and block-like Ti2Al20Ce has excellent refining and modification properties for hypoeutectic Al–7%Si alloy. When 1.5 wt.% Al–Ti–C–Ce master alloy is added, the coarse dendritic α-Al in hypoeutectic Al–7%Si alloy is refined into equiaxed grains. The secondary dendritic arm spacing (SDAS) was also reduced, and the coarse needle-flake eutectic Si phase was transformed into a fibrous and granular phase. It was found that the ultimate tensile strength and elongation increased by 59% and 56%, respectively, due to the decrease in the SDAS of primary α-Al dendrites and the modification of eutectic Si crystals. Moreover, the change of mechanical properties corresponds to the evolution of microstructure.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank LetPub (www.letpub.com) for providing linguistic assistance during the preparation of this manuscript. This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51661021; 51665033). The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province in China (No. 1606RJZA161) and Gansu key research and development program (No. 18YF1GA061).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou, Gansu, China

    Wanwu Ding, Xiaoyan Zhao, Wenjun Zhao, Tingbiao Guo, Xinchang Tang, Jisen Qiao & Tiandong Xia

  2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, Gansu, China

    Wanwu Ding, Xiaoyan Zhao, Wenjun Zhao, Tingbiao Guo, Xinchang Tang, Jisen Qiao & Tiandong Xia

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  1. Wanwu Ding
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Ding, W., Zhao, X., Zhao, W. et al. Effects of Al–Ti–C–Ce Master Alloy on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hypoeutectic Al–7%Si Alloy. Inter Metalcast 13, 426–437 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-018-0266-8

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