Effect of phosphorus modification on the microstructure and mechanical properties of DC cast Al-17.5Si-4.5Cu-1Zn-0.7Mg-0.5Ni alloy

Direct chill (DC) casting of an Al-17.5Si-4.5Cu-1Zn-0.7Mg-0.5Ni alloy with minor additions of Zr, V and Ti was performed and the effect of phosphorus modification on the solidification microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show that the addition of phosphorus refines the primary Si crystals remarkably but coarsens the eutectic Si in the DC cast billets. In the samples taken in 1/2 radius region of the billets of 100 mm in diameter, the average size of the primary Si particles in the unmodified alloy is 38 mu m, while that in the modified alloys range from 13 to 26 mu m, depending on the melt treatment time. The AlP particles as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the primary Si crystals were observed in the center of the primary Si particles. In the modified alloy, the achieved ultimate tensile strength is 320MPa and 433MPa respectively in the as-cast state and T6 state. The size of the primary Si particles is critical for the improvement of the mechanical properties of the alloy.