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Influence of Grain Refiner Addition on the Precipitation of Fe-Rich Phases in Secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg Alloys

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Abstract

The effect of grain refiner addition on the precipitation of Fe-rich compounds in secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg has been studied. Thermal and metallographic analysis techniques have been used to examine the formation of Fe-bearing intermetallics. The results show that grain refinement with AlTi5B1 can alter the precipitation sequence of Fe-rich phases. In non-grain refined alloy and grain-refined alloy with AlTi10, two different Fe-rich phases, α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2 and π-Al8Mg3FeSi6, form, whereas, with AlTi5B1 addition, the β-Al5FeSi phase also tends to crystallize, nucleating on TiB2 particles. It has also been demonstrated how at high cooling rates, the β-Al5FeSi-involved reactions occur more preferentially, when compared to α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2 phase. This crystallization behaviour is explained in terms of phase diagram relationship and the nucleation kinetics of competing α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2 and β-Al5FeSi phases.

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Acknowledgments

This work was developed within the ERASMUS MUNDUS Project (Silkroute—Strand 1/Lot L09, Project No. 545765). The author would like to acknowledge Raffineria Metalli Capra Spa (Brescia, Italy) for the experimental support to the research and Mr. G. Muneratti (Foseco) for the experimental contribution to this research. Many thanks are also due to Mr. L. Mariani (Media System Lab Srl) and Dr. F. Reinauer (AMETEK EDAX BU) for the support with WDS analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, Stradella S. Nicola, 3, 36100, Vicenza, Italy

    Jovid Rakhmonov, Giulio Timelli & Franco Bonollo

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway

    Lars Arnberg

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  1. Jovid Rakhmonov
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Correspondence to Jovid Rakhmonov.

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Rakhmonov, J., Timelli, G., Bonollo, F. et al. Influence of Grain Refiner Addition on the Precipitation of Fe-Rich Phases in Secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg Alloys. Inter Metalcast 11, 294–304 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-016-0076-9

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