Effects of ErF3 Particles on the Structure and Physicomechanical Properties of A359 Alloy

Abstract

In this work, the impact of ErF3 submicroparticles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the A359 alloy was studied. ErF3 particles provided a homogeneous structure in castings produced via the casting method. The modifying effect of ErF3 particles on the structure of Al–Si alloys is realized through the mechanism of restraining the crystallization front and is achieved through the reduction in the formation of clusters of iron phases and eutectic lamellar silicon. It was found that the addition of 1 wt% ErF3 to the A359 alloy leads to a decrease in the average grain size by 21% and an increase in the yield strength by 14%, in tensile strength by 16%, in the microhardness of Al15(FeMn)3Si2 phase by 34% and in the Al15(FeMnCr)3Si2 phase by 7%. The heat treatment of the A359 alloy with ErF3 particles increased the yield strength by 36% and the tensile strength by 34%. The absence of an effect of ErF3 particles on the hardness values of the A359 alloy, as well as on the fracture process of the A359 alloy, was observed. The negative influence of ErF3 particle agglomerates and clusters on the strength characteristics of the investigated alloys was observed. Approaches for further exploring the potential of ErF3 particles as a strengthening phase in cast aluminum alloys of the Al–Si system were proposed.