Intermetallic phase formation in directionally solidified Al−Si−Fe alloy

The present study has been undertaken to better understand the solidification behavior of Al−Si−Fe alloys containing 7wt.% Si and 0.9wt.% Fe, with particular regard to the formation of phase during controlled solidification and influence of growth rates on intermetallic phase selection. The alloys studied were Al-7Si-0.9Fe alloys, which were produced by a modified Bridgman solidification arrangement. These alloys were solidified unidirectionally with different growth rates (1–30mm/min). The solidified microstructure of these alloys consists of the growth of primary aluminum and multiple second phase reactions.