In situ radiographic study of the grain refining behavior of Al3Sc during the solidification of Al-10Cu alloy. (20th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Yue; Tang, Yang; Zhang, Ya; Fu, Yanan; Xing, Hui; Zhang, Jiao; Jiang, Jun; Sun, Baode
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials science & technology. Volume 122(2022)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2022-09-20
• Subjects: Radiography -- Solidification -- Melt convection -- Curve motion of grains -- Grain refining; Metals -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials science; Metals; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.11.078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1005-0302

Abstract

Highlights: Primary Al3 Sc particles are in situ observed during solidification for the first time. Melt convection in this study is caused by the grains nucleated on Al3 Sc particles in melt. Grain nucleation efficiency, initial grain size, and melt convection are affected by Al3 Sc particle size. The refinement of Sc in Al-Cu alloy is in situ proved not to be promoted monotonously with the increase of Sc. Abstract: Grain refinement of Al alloys inoculated by rare earth elements, such as Sc, has been extensively acknowledged, while the practical behavior of how inoculant Al3 Sc particles affect the refinement in solidification has not been clarified due to the non-transparency of the solidification process. Here, the microstructural evolution of primary Al3 Sc particles and α-Al grains in Al-10 wt.% Cu alloy solidifications with 0.2 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, and 1.0 wt.% Sc additions was investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray radiography. The detailed mechanisms of curve motion of grains (CMG) and melt convection were revealed. The efficient grains nucleation, uniformly scattered small initial grains, and long duration of melt convection contributed to the best refinement in the 0.6 wt.% Sc addition sample. This work provides a deep insight into grain refinement in solidification with Sc addition, which will enlighten the composition design and casting process of Al alloys inoculated by rare earth elements.