Effects of different magnetic fields on solidification structures and mechanical properties of Al–12.6%Si–0.8%Fe alloy

In this paper, the effects of rotating magnetic field (RMF) and pulsed magnetic field (PMF) on the solidification structures and mechanical properties of Al–12.6%Si–0.8%Fe alloy are studied. Both the macrostructures and microstructures are refined by the RMF and PMF. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to investigate the two kinds of magnetic fields on the phases’ morphologies of the Al–12.6%Si–0.8%Fe alloy. The needle-like eutectic Si phase, nubbly primary Si phase and plate-like β-Al₅FeSi phase are refined by the magnetic fields. The tensile strength and elongation of Al–12.6%Si–0.8%Fe alloy are enhanced by 22.3% and 70.7% with RMF, and 20.1% and 59.3% with PMF, respectively. The action mechanisms of RMF and PMF on the solidification structures and mechanical properties are also discussed.