Effect of Ce on solidification and mechanical properties of A360 alloy

The effect of Ce addition on the AA A360 (Al-10%Si-0.5%Mg) alloy was investigated using equilibrium thermodynamic calculation, thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The purpose is to study the variations that occur during solidification and precipitation with different Ce additions, as well as their effect on the mechanical properties. The results show that the Ce addition decreases the eutectic (alpha(Al) + Mg2Si) temperature. The solidus temperature also decreases with the increasing Ce addition. The precipitation enthalpy determined using DSC decreases with the Ce addition, while precipitation takes place more rapidly and intensively, indicating increased reaction kinetics. The mechanical properties like hardness and tensile strength also increase with the Ce addition. The phase that contributed to the hardness of the investigated alloy was composed of Al, Ce, Mg and Si. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.