Solidification behaviour, microstructure and mechanical properties of high Fe-containing Al–Si–V alloys

The paper deals with effect of Fe on the solidification behaviour and mechanical properties of unmodified and modified Al–V–Si alloys. Effect of thermo-mechanical processing on the mechanical properties of these alloys was also reported. The solidification proceeds through several invariant reactions, the first one corresponds to formation of Al3(Fe,V,Si)-type phase. Modification with Ni–Mg master alloy changes the morphology, size and distribution of the primary as well as interdendritic phases. The modified alloys show an increase in first invariant reaction temperature and decrease in final invariant reaction temperature when compared with unmodified alloy, probably due to action of phase modification. In comparison to untreatable alloy, appreciable improvement in mechanical properties occurs on modification by Ni–Mg treatment. Hot rolling further improves the mechanical properties of the alloy.