Determination of strontium segregation in modified hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy by micro X-ray fluorescence analysis

Analysis of intra- and inter-phase distribution of modifying elements in aluminium-silicon alloys is difficult due to the low concentrations used. This research utilises a mu-XRF (X-ray fluorescence) technique at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility X-ray source and reveals that the modifying element strontium segregates exclusively to the eutectic silicon phase and the distribution of strontium within this phase is relatively homogeneous. This has important implications for the fundamental mechanisms of eutectic modification in hypoeutectic aluminium-silicon alloys. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of oxides in the formation of primary iron intermetallics in an Al-11.6Si-0.37Mg Alloy

Recent research suggest that the iron-rich intermetallic phases, such as alpha-FeAl15(Fe,Mn)(3)Si-2 and beta-Fe Al5FeSi, nucleate on oxide films entrained in aluminum casting alloys. This is evidenced by the presence of crack-like defects within these iron-rich intermetallics. In an attempt to verify the role of oxides in nucleating iron-rich intermetallics, experiments have been conducted under conditions where in-situ entrained oxide films and deliberately added oxide particles were present. Iron-rich intermetallics are observed to be associated with the oxides in the final microstructure, and crack-like defects are often observed in the beta-Fe plates. The physical association of the Fe-rich intermetallic phases with these solid oxides, either formed in situ or added, is in accordance with the mechanism suggesting that iron-rich intermetallics nucleate upon the wetted sides of double oxide films.