THE INFLUENCE OF STIRRING ON THE FADING OF THE AlTi5B1 GRAIN REFINER IN AN Al-Fe ALLOY

An Al-Fe alloy, melted in an induction furnace with a graphite crucible, was grain refined with the AlTi5B1 grain refiner. The melt was stirred after the addition of the grain refiner. The first sample was cast two minutes after the addition of the grain refiner and the second sample fifteen minutes after the addition of the grain refiner. The melt was stirred again before the third sample was cast. The grain size was found to increase with the holding time. However, the grain size of the third sample, after stirring, decreased to a similar size to that of the first sample. The results indicate that the stirring of a grain-refined melt can restore the grain-refinement effect.