Microstructural and mechanical properties of Al–2%Fe eutectic alloy under rotating magnetic field (RMF) and pulsed magnetic field (PMF)

The influences of magnetic fields on the Al–2%Fe eutectic alloy are investigated. The microstructures are refined obviously by the magnetic fields. Without magnetic field, the sizes of X-shaped and acicular Al3Fe phases are about 89×8 μm and 62 μm, respectively. With rotating magnetic field (RMF), the X-shaped Al3Fe phases disappear and the size of acicular Al3Fe phases is about 24 μm. While with pulsed magnetic field (PMF), the sizes of X-shaped and acicular Al3Fe phases are about 120×14 μm and 38m, respectively. The values of tensile strength and elongation are increased by 19.5% and 39.2% with RMF, and 5.4% and 10.1% with PMF, respectively. The action mechanisms of RMF and PMF on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al–2%Fe eutectic alloy are also discussed.