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Microstructure and phase forming process of Al-3Ti-0.2C-1RE grain refiner

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Abstract

An Al-3Ti-0.2C-1RE grain refiner was prepared by in-situ reaction method. The microstructure was investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the Al-3Ti-0.2C-1RE grain refiner is composed of α-Al, TiAl3, TiC and Ti2Al20Ce phases. Compared with Al-3Ti-0.2C refiner, the morphology of TiAl3 phase is changed and Ti2Al20Ce phases form with the addition of RE. Accordingly, the refining performance is improved. The phase forming process of the refiner is as follows: Blocky Ti2Al20Ce and fine blocky TiAl3 form in the melt at the initial stage of reaction, then the fine blocky TiAl3 gradually disappears, and the blocky Ti2Al20Ce grows bigger with the increase of holding time. The predominant mechanism to synthesize TiC particles is the reaction between high concentration of solute Ti atoms and graphite particles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China

    Hong-liang Zhao  (赵红亮), Miao Li  (李苗), Jin-sheng Yue  (岳金胜) & Ya Gao  (高雅)

  2. School of Materials and Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110004, China

    Ren-guo Guan  (管仁国)

Authors
  1. Hong-liang Zhao  (赵红亮)
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  2. Ren-guo Guan  (管仁国)
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  3. Miao Li  (李苗)
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  4. Jin-sheng Yue  (岳金胜)
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  5. Ya Gao  (高雅)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hong-liang Zhao  (赵红亮).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(51174177) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China

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Zhao, Hl., Guan, Rg., Li, M. et al. Microstructure and phase forming process of Al-3Ti-0.2C-1RE grain refiner. J. Cent. South Univ. 21, 1–8 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-014-1907-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-014-1907-6

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