Eutectic morphology evolution and Sr-modification in Al-Si based alloys studied by 3D phase-field simulation coupled to Calphad data

The mechanical properties of Al-Si cast alloys are mainly controlled by the morphology of the eutectic silicon. Phase-field simulations were carried out to study the evolution of the multidimensional branched eutectic structures in 3D. Coupling to a Calphad database provided thermodynamic data for the multicomponent multiphase Al-Si-Sr-P system. A major challenge was to model the effect of the trace element Sr. Minor amounts of Sr are known to modify the silicon morphology from coarse flakes to fine coral-like fibers. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Two different in literature most discussed mechanisms were modelled: a) an effect of Sr on the growth kinetics of eutectic silicon and b) the formation of Al₂Si₂Sr on AlP particles, which consumes most potent nucleation sites and forces eutectic silicon to form with lower frequency and higher undercooling. The phase-field simulations only revealed a successful modification of the eutectic morphology when both effects acted in combination. Only in this case a clear depression of the eutectic temperature was observed. The required phase formation sequence L → fcc-(Al) → AlP → Al₂Si₂Sr → (Si) determines critical values for the Sr and P content. (paper)