The Effect of Rare Earth Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of the Rapidly Solidified Al-Si And Al-Si-Ni Alloys

RAPIDLY SOLIDIFIED Al-Si AND Al-Si-Ni ALLOYSThe article presents research aimed at determining the effect of adding rare earth elements to near-eutectic Al-Si and Al-Si-Ni alloys on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the obtained products.Material for the research was prepared using a melt spinner -a device used for rapid crystallization, casting thin ribbons, which were then subjected in subsequent stages to fragmentation, consolidation and plastic working.The ribbons and extruded rods cast were described in terms of their structure and their strength properties were determined at different measurement temperatures.It was shown that the lightweight materials produced from aluminium alloys using the rapid solidification process have an ultra-fine structure and good strength properties.Analysis under a microscope confirmed that the addition of rare earth alloys Al-Si and Al-Si-Ni causes fragmentation of the microstructure in the tapes produced.The presence of rare earth elements in the alloys tested has an impact on the type and the morphology of the particles of the microstructure's individual components.In addition to the change in particle morphology, the phenomenon of the separation of numerous nanometric particles of intermetallic phases containing rare earth elements was also observed.The change in microstructure caused by the addition of rare earth elements in the form of a mischmetal increases the mechanical properties.