MICROSTRUCTURE FORMATION OF Al-5 MASS%Mg ALLOY MELTS BY INTERACTION WITH SILICA

Dissolution of Si in Al-5 mass%Mg alloy melt by the reduction of SiO2 and its effect on microstructure formation of the alloy after solidification were investigated. Al-5 mass%Mg alloy without silica powder had approximately 0.05 mass%Si as an impurity. No significant difference in Si content was observed after the reaction with silica for 10 min, while the Si content increased up to about 0.12 mass% after 30 min. From the microstructure analysis and calculation of Scheil-Gulliver cooling, it was considered that as-cast microstructures of Al-5 mass%Mg-1 mass% SiO2 alloys had the distribution of eutectic phase particles, which are comprised of fl-Al3Mg2 and Mg2Si phases. Based on the phase diagrams, only limited amount of Mg can be selectively removed by silica depending on the ratio of Si and Mg. Addition of silica of more than approximately 1.5 mass% in Al-5 mass%Mg alloy led to the formation of spinel and removal of both Mg and Al from the melt.