Grain refinement of aluminum alloys. Part 2: Confirmation of, and a mechanism for, the solute paradigm

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-999-0099-4· OSTI ID:677974

Easton, M; StJohn, D ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Queensland (Australia)

In Part 1 of this article, the literature underpinning both the nucleant and solute paradigms was explained, and the validity of the paradigm shift toward the solute paradigm, as a more complete understanding of grain refinement, was presented. In this Part 2, experimental work is presented which confirms the validity of the solute paradigm. TiB{sub 2} particle additions were found to refine the columnar zone of pure aluminum; however, an equiaxed structure was only observed when a small amount of titanium was added as solute. The potency of nucleant particles was confirmed by thermal analysis, which showed that additions of TiB{sub 2} to pure aluminium removed the nucleation undercooling. Upon the addition of more TiB{sub 2} particles and titanium as solute, the grain size continued to decrease until an apparent minimum grain size was achieved, past which little further refinement occurs. That the segregating ability of solute elements in general is essential for grain refinement, and not only that of titanium in particular, was confirmed by comparison of the Al-2Si and Al-0.05Ti systems. Finally, a mechanism of grain refinement is presented that incorporates both nucleant particles and solute segregation as essential for effective grain refinement. The solute is required to form a constitutionally undercooled zone in front of the growing solid/liquid interface to facilitate further nucleation on the substrates present. The potency of the nucleants dictates the probability of nucleation occurring for a given degree of constitutional undercooling.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 677974
• Journal Information: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science, Journal Name: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 30; ISSN MMTAEB; ISSN 1073-5623
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
GRAIN REFINEMENT
INTERFACES
LIQUID METALS
METALLOGRAPHY
NUCLEATION
PARTICULATES
SEGREGATION
SOLUTES