Surface modification of Al-12.6Si alloy by high current pulsed electron beam

The paper investigates the microstructure and property modifications of Al-12.6Si alloy induced by high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) treatment. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show a fine and equiaxed grain structure of several micrometers is obtained on the top surface of the melted layer. Underneath the top surface, a remelted layer with about 10 μm thickness is obtained and a supersaturated solid solution of Al is formed in the remelted layer. XRD analysis shows that the relative strength of diffraction peaks of Al (1 1 1) and Si (1 1 1) crystal planes is increased after HCPEB treatment. As a result, relative wear resistance of HCPEB-treated sample is significantly improved by a factor of 2.5 due to fine grain strengthening and solid solution strengthening. Therefore, the HCPEB treatment has a good application future in treating Al-Si alloys.