Computer aided cooling curve analysis and microstructure of cerium added hypereutectic Al-Si (LM29) alloy

Abstract

Thermal analysis of LM29 alloy and Ce added LM29 alloys was carried out. The effect of cerium addition on solidification parameters and microstructural features of hypereutectic Al-Si (LM29) alloy was studied using Newtonian analysis technique. Thermal analysis parameters such as primary and eutectic phase nucleation and solidus temperatures were determined. The addition of Ce to LM29 alloy decreased the nucleation temperature of primary silicon and eutectic silicon. The microstructural examination of Ce added LM29 alloys revealed the presence of a polyhedral shaped Al-Si-Ce compound that might have caused the refinement of primary and eutectic silicon. The dendrite coherency point temperature of LM29 alloy was found to be suppressed on addition of Ce. 2014 Indian Institute of Metals.