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Comprehensive Evaluation of Modification Level Assessment in Sr-Modified Aluminium Alloys

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Abstract

One way to improve the mechanical properties of Al–Si alloys is to add chemical modifiers that affect the microstructure of the cast components. Small amounts of Sr cause the modification of the eutectic Si particles from a coarse plate-like morphology into a fine fibrous one. This study sets out to analyse the effects of chemical modification on an Al–7%Si–0.3%Mg foundry alloy treated with Sr, ranging from 62 to 820 ppm. Assessment of modification level was evaluated by both thermal analysis technique and quantitative microstructural investigations. Up to now, little attention has been paid to the role played by microstructural characteristics in evaluating the modification level, which is commonly performed by comparison with standard images. In the present investigation, numerical methods proposed in the literature have been considered in an attempt to understand their effectiveness. The correlation between thermal analysis results and geometrical parameters of eutectic Si particles highlighted the impact of microstructural homogeneity on modification-level evaluation. In addition, the presence of Ca in Sr-based intermetallics has been further investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their appreciation to the Mario Mazzucconi Foundry of Ponte San Pietro (BG) for providing research facilities. The authors are also indebted to Stefano Pirletti of Mario Mazzucconi Foundry for his invaluable assistance and technical support provided during experimental castings. Many thanks are also due to Professor Vincenzo Guidi for the contribution to statistical data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering (DE), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Annalisa Fortini, Lucia Lattanzi, Mattia Merlin & Gian Luca Garagnani

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  1. Annalisa Fortini
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  2. Lucia Lattanzi
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  3. Mattia Merlin
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  4. Gian Luca Garagnani
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Correspondence to Annalisa Fortini.

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Fortini, A., Lattanzi, L., Merlin, M. et al. Comprehensive Evaluation of Modification Level Assessment in Sr-Modified Aluminium Alloys. Inter Metalcast 12, 697–711 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-017-0202-3

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