Modification of β-Al5FeSi Compound in Recycled Al-Si-Fe Cast Alloy by Using Sr, Mg and Cr Additions

The effects of Sr, Mg, Cr, Sr/Mg and Sr/Cr combined additions on the Fe-containing intermetallic phase in a recycled Al-Si-Fe cast alloy are investigated. The experimental results show that the additions of Cr and Sr/Cr successfully modified the platelet and flake-like β-AlsFeSi phases (β-compound) into the fibrous α-Al8Fe2Si (α-compound). The additions of Sr and Sr/Mg were less effective to modify the β-compound into the α-compound, while the eutectic Si was fully modified into the fibrous morphology. A small secondary dendrite arm spacing (DAS) was found in the Sr-added, Cr-added and Sr/Cr-added alloys, especially in a steel mold. The Sr, Sr/Cr and Sr/Mg combined additions modify the eutectic Si simultaneously. A sludge phase was found in the addition of Cr-added, Sr/Cr-added and Mg-added alloys, especially in the graphite mold casting. The volume fraction of β-compounds was decreased by the addition of various modifying elements.The Cr and Sr/Cr combined additions are very effective to modify the β-compound for the recycled Al-Si-Fe based alloys.