Refinement of cast microstructure of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys through the addition of rare earth metals

Microstructural observation and thermal analysis of Al-21 wt % Si alloys with different rare earth metals were performed to examine the effect of rare earth metal on the refinement of primary silicon phase. Simultaneous refinement of both primary and eutectic silicon morphology is achieved with the addition of rare earth and its effect increases with the amount of rare earth addition and cooling rate. Depression of 12-17 degrees C in primary reaction temperature and 2-7 degrees C in eutectic temperature is measured with the addition of rare earth. Rare earth bearing compounds were not believed to act as a nucleation agent of primary silicon phase. Some rare earth bearing compounds determined to AlCe were around primary silicon in the matrix. The twin density of eutectic silicon remains same regardless of the addition of rare earth. The refinement of silicon in rare earth treated hypereutectic Al-Si alloys is supposed to be due to the suppression of the nucleation temperature of silicon phase. (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.