Influence of grain-refiner addition on the morphology of fe-bearing intermetallics in a semi-solid processed Al-Mg-Si alloy

Abstract

The three-dimensional morphologies of the Fe-bearing intermetallics in a semisolid-processed Al-Mg-Si alloy were examined after extracting the intermetallics. α -AlFeSi and β-AlFeSi are the major Fe-bearing intermetallics. Addition of Al-Ti-B grain refiner typically promotes β-AlFeSi formation. β-AlFeSi was observed with a flat, plate-like morphology with angular edges in the alloy with and without grain refiner, whereas α -AlFeSi was observed as "flower"-like morphology in the alloy with grain refiner. © 2013 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International.