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For conventional A356 aluminum alloy, the addition of rare earth elements is an effective way to modify its microstructures and improve its mechanical properties. The effect of rare earth Er on microstructures and properties of as-cast A356 aluminum alloy was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that rare earth element Er is a good modifier for A356 aluminum alloy, which is able to improve obviously the microstructure of as-cast alloy. The addition of Er refines the primary α-Al phase, decreases the secondary dendrite arm spacing and the dendrite arm diameter, and modifies the eutectic Si in as-cast structure simultaneously. When the amount of Er reaches 0.4% (mass fraction, the same below), the refinement effect is the most significant, secondary dendrite arm spacing decreases from 53.6μm to 17.5μm and the morphology of eutectic Si transforms from thick lath-shaped to short rod-like or round granular. Compared with A356 alloy, the tensile strength and elongation of A356 aluminum alloy with the addition of 0.4%Er increase by 15.1% and 29.8% respectively.