Effects of ErF 3 Particles on the Structure and Physicomechanical Properties of A359 Alloy.

In this work, the impact of ErF₃ submicroparticles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the A359 alloy was studied. ErF₃ particles provided a homogeneous structure in castings produced via the casting method. The modifying effect of ErF₃ particles on the structure of Al–Si alloys is realized through the mechanism of restraining the crystallization front and is achieved through the reduction in the formation of clusters of iron phases and eutectic lamellar silicon. It was found that the addition of 1 wt% ErF₃ to the A359 alloy leads to a decrease in the average grain size by 21% and an increase in the yield strength by 14%, in tensile strength by 16%, in the microhardness of Al₁₅(FeMn)₃Si₂ phase by 34% and in the Al₁₅(FeMnCr)₃Si₂ phase by 7%. The heat treatment of the A359 alloy with ErF₃ particles increased the yield strength by 36% and the tensile strength by 34%. The absence of an effect of ErF₃ particles on the hardness values of the A359 alloy, as well as on the fracture process of the A359 alloy, was observed. The negative influence of ErF₃ particle agglomerates and clusters on the strength characteristics of the investigated alloys was observed. Approaches for further exploring the potential of ErF₃ particles as a strengthening phase in cast aluminum alloys of the Al–Si system were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]