Prospects of In-Situ α-Al2O3 as an Inoculant in Aluminum: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

In-situ α-Al2O3 was successfully synthesized and dispersed in Al alloy using B2O3 and ultrasonication aided liquid mixing technique. Microstructure analysis identified α-Al2O3 as the most common phase in the composite master alloy whereas AlB12 was frequently observed and AlB2 was rarely found in the alloy. Grain refinement analysis of selected Al alloys registered a transition of columnar to equiaxial grains of α-Al with the inoculation of the master alloy and ultrasonication treatment. Similarly, an improvement in the mechanical properties of A357 alloy was observed with the combination of inoculation and ultrasonication treatment.