The Relationship between Residual Amount of Sr and Morphology of Eutectic Si Phase in A356 Alloy

Abstract

This paper studied the relationship between the residual amount of Sr and the morphology of the eutectic Si phase in A356 obtained through different modification treatment processes; additionally, the cooling rates of molds were studied. The eutectic Si phase revealed a satisfactory modification effect at residual Sr amounts above 0.01 wt % in A356 alloys cast using an iron mould. Complete modification of the eutectic Si phase could be achieved at a Sr additive amount 0.03 wt % in an A356 melt. The addition of higher amounts of Sr (~0.04–0.06 wt %) did not improve the modification effect. With the addition of 0.06 wt % Sr into A356 alloy melt and holding at 750 °C, the anti-fading capacity of Sr modification effect could be sustained for 120 minutes. More Sr is needed to obtain a good modification of eutectic Si for an A356 alloy cast using a sand mold.