Microstructural chracterisation of Al–Si– x Ti cast alloys

Abstract

The present paper reports the existence and morphology of intermetallic particles in Al–Si–xTi cast alloys. Near eutectic Al–Si alloys with 0, 0·1, 1, 2, and 5% Ti have been utilised for this purpose. Metallographic observations were made by the combination of an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Wear tests were performed in a pin on disc tribometer under dry sliding conditions. The addition of Ti to the Al–Si alloys led to the precipitation of TiAlSi intermetallic phase. By increasing Ti content, hardness increases due to increasing volume fraction of relatively hard intermetallics.