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Abstract Al–Si–Mg alloys manipulated by in-situ synthesized nanoparticles have been prepared by casting method in this work. The addition of different contents of refiners promoted the obvious grain refinement of the Al–Si–Mg alloys. It was found that 0.10 wt% refiners addition caused a significant and efficient refinement on α-Al (from 1675 µm to 199 µm) and Mg 2 Si in the inoculated Al–Si–Mg alloys. The morphology of the eutectic Si in the inoculated Al–Si–Mg alloys transformed from needle-like structure to a fibrous one, and the mean size sharply decreased (from 26.56 µm to 11.89 µm) and increased a little with the increase of FeBSi amorphous refiners content. Tensile property tests showed that both strength and ductility of the alloys were improved by the addition of FeBSi amorphous refiners. The yield strength, tensile strength, fracture strain and elongation of the alloy inoculated with 0.10 wt% FeBSi amorphous refiners for 20 min were 226 MPa, 343 MPa, 18.4% and 16.7%, compared to those of the uninoculated alloy (170 MPa, 289 MPa, 13.7% and 12.2%), respectively. It was found that the Fe 2 B and Fe 3 Si nano-sized particles which were crystallized from FeBSi amorphous refiner contributed to the grain refinement of α-Al, resulting in higher strength. Moreover, grain refinement shortened the atomic diffusion distance and refines Mg 2 Si. The grain refinement and spheroidization of eutectic Si enhance uniform deformation during tension, and reduce the possibility of crack initiation and expansion, thus improving the plasticity. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • The inoculated Al–7Si–0.3Mg alloy appeared as 199 µm fine grains. • The inoculated alloy reached 226 MPa, 343 MPa, 18.4%(δ) and 16.7%(ε f). • This work achieved the refinement of α-Al and Mg 2 Si and the spheroidization of eutectic Si. • The Fe 2 B, Fe 3 Si had better lattice mismatch with α-Al and eutectic Si. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall microstructure-manipulated Al-13Si-5Cu-0.6 Mg alloy was successfully fabricated via introducing 0.1 wt% Zr 55 Cu 30 Al 10 Ni 5 amorphous alloy manipulator with short time of 60 s, to determine its suitability for applications at room and higher temperatures. The microstructure manipulation mechanism, mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism in manipulated Al-13Si-5Cu-0.6 Mg alloy were discussed. The Zr 55 Cu 30 Al 10 Ni 5 amorphous alloy manipulator provides more nucleation sites in the formation of primary Si, Al Si eutectic and Al 2 Cu. As a result, the optimal microstructure is composed of finer α-Al grains, Al 2 Cu and more rounded primary and eutectic Si, with sizes decreased to ∼52%, 13%, 73% and 42%, respectively. The yield strength, tensile strength, elongation and fracture strain of manipulated Al-13Si-5Cu-0.6 Mg alloy are improved by 22.9%, 16.8%, 58.2% and 47.7% at room temperature than those of the unmanipulated Al-13Si-5Cu-0.6 Mg alloy, respectively. The improved tensile properties at room temperature are attributed to the significant strengthening effect of smaller precipitates and grain refinement while the excellent plasticity is derived from finer α-Al grain, round-corner primary Si and eutectic Si spheroidization. The yield strength and tensile strength are increased by 28.1% and 15.3% at 250 °C, and 28.3% and 10.8% at 300 °C, respectively. The strengthening mechanism at high temperature is mainly the second phase strengthening and the effect of finer eutectic Si on the pinning grain boundary. The overall microstructure manipulation in this work provides better comprehensive mechanical properties and a practicable method to fabricate the Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy with superior strength and ductility, especially for die-casting alloy with short-time and high-efficiency. [Display omitted] • Fully microstructure-manipulated alloy was made via adding trace nanoparticles. • Nanosized ZrCu(B2) and Zr 2 Cu have ideal lattice mismatch with Si, α-Al and Al 2 Cu. • The sizes of primary Si, α-Al, eutectic Si and Al 2 Cu decreased simultaneously. • The tensile strength and elongation of manipulated alloy are greatly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is challenging to concurrently control the microstructure evolutions after undergoing casting, sheet forming and welding. This study successfully addressed this challenge via trace TiC–TiB 2 nanoparticles in the amelioration of solidification-rolling-welding microstructural evolution. Nanoparticles refined the solidified microstructures and significantly increased the net driving force for recrystallization, promoting the precipitation of nanoscale Guinier–Preston zones and β'' phases. The coarsening of the fusion and heat-affected zones was also effectively suppressed. The yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the rolled plates were enhanced by 31.3% and 16.3%, respectively, without significantly sacrificing ductility. Additionally, the YS and UTS of the as-welded welding joints were enhanced by 30.2% and 7.8%, respectively. The amelioration mechanism of TiC–TiB 2 throughout the microstructural evolution and strengthening process was systematically investigated. This study provides a typical model for the complete amelioration of microstructural evolution in aluminum alloys under multiple processing conditions. • The nucleation of solidified phases is promoted, and their growth is hindered. • Recrystallization and formation of coherent nanoscale precipitates are promoted. • Coarsening of fusion zone and heat affected zone is suppressed. • Building better microstructure configuration for improved properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetting of hot-pressed polycrystalline WC substrates by a Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 bulk metallic glass (BMG)-forming alloy was investigated at 1133–1253 K in a high vacuum using a modified sessile drop method. The alloy melt spread rapidly on the WC surface, reaching no more than 30° within 3 s, and then slowly (at T < 1213 K) or even remained steady (at T ≥ 1213 K) in the subsequent isothermal dwelling stage. The final equilibrium contact angles were between 11° and 20°, slightly increasing with rising temperature and thus presenting an appreciably anomalous temperature-dependent behavior. The reaction between WC and the Zr-base melt was moderate, slightly enhancing with increasing temperature, and yielded W, ZrC and W5Zr3 at the interface. The wetting, in principle, was driven by the formation of a precursor film in front of the triple line as a result of the adsorption of active atoms (primarily Zr) rather than by the interfacial reaction. From the viewpoint of the wettability and reactivity, WC is a good reinforcement for the preparation of the Zr-base BMG matrix composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The modification of Mg2Si in Mg–5Si alloys with KBF4 was investigated in detail. With the increase of KBF4 content, the alloys exhibited sub-modified and fully modified microstructures, but no over-modified microstructure was found. In the fully modified alloys, most of the primary Mg2Si particles exhibited the morphology of octahedrons. It is believed that B which came from the decomposition of KBF4 effectively confined the growth of primary Mg2Si to the octahedron morphology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]