Abstracts In this work, an Al-7Si-1.5Sc alloy bearing the strengthening AlSi2Sc2 phase was successfully prepared by the addition of Sc through ultrasonically assisted molten salt electrolysis. The ultrasound transforms the… Click to show full abstract
Abstracts In this work, an Al-7Si-1.5Sc alloy bearing the strengthening AlSi2Sc2 phase was successfully prepared by the addition of Sc through ultrasonically assisted molten salt electrolysis. The ultrasound transforms the lamellar and network-like AlSi2Sc2 phase into the short-bar shapes. The average size of AlSi2Sc2 phase reduces from ∼1500 μm down to ∼150 μm. The mechanical properties of the Al-7Si-Sc alloys have been greatly improved. The Vickers hardness of the Al-7Si-Sc alloy prepared with ultrasound assistance increase from 49 HV up to 85 HV. The ultrasound can enhance nucleation of the pre-existed Al3Sc nuclei that serve as the nucleating substrates for the ternary AlSi2Sc2 phase (through peritectic reaction). Furthermore, the pre-existed Al3Sc nuclei get dispersed under the ultrasound-enhanced melt flow and mass transfer. The final ternary strengthening AlSi2Sc2 phase correspondingly disperse in the Al based matrix. It provides a potential shorter and more effective approach to fabricate Al based alloys with uniformly distributed and refined strengthening particles.
               
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