Abstract
In this study, K2TiF6 and C powder (Ti:C atomic ratio 1:1) are introduced into Al-Si-Fe alloy by contact reaction method. The focus of this study is to investigate the reaction and precipitation behavior of Ti source in the alloy melt, and the effect of reaction products on the microstructure and properties of Al-Si-Fe alloy. The results show that the reaction products formed between Ti and the matrix alloy can destroy the acicular β-Fe phase in the original alloy. The transformation results in the a morphological change of the alloy from needle-like structure to Chinese script and fishbone-like structure, which effectively improves the mechanical properties of the alloy. The DSC analysis results indicate that Al-Si- Fe powder, K2TiF6 powder, and C powder undergo significant exothermic reactions at around 950 °C, corresponding to the formation of TiC. Further microscopic morphology observations support the inference that TiC powders formed in this temperature range. Firstly, the synthesis of the matrix takes place at 580 °C. K2TiF6 mixed with alloy powder shows an obvious exothermic peak at 660 ℃, corresponding to the formation of the second phase Al3Ti by wetting and chemical reaction. However, it is worth noting that the reaction intermediate product(Al4C3 phase) consumes three times as much Al3Ti as itself. As a result, the exothermic peak generated by Al3Ti disappears. Lastly, a long-term exothermic reaction that takes place above 850 °C lead to the gradual replacement of the Al3Ti phase by TiC particles. The mechanical properties test indicates that the needle-shaped Al3Ti to some extent deteriorates the alloy’s properties. But the final product (TiC) can offset the deteriorating effect of Al3Ti and restore the alloy’s property.
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The authors acknowledge each researcher for their contribution to the experiment and the results of the analysis.
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The authors acknowledge funding from the following projects: National Natural Science Foundation of China (52261024), the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2023GXNSFAA026374, 2023AB38012), the Project of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded (2021M693800) and the Opening Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology (2022K005).
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Prof. Tang Peng initiated the concept and designed this project, funding acquisition. Ms. Xiao Peixin prepared the samples and carried out the property measurements. Ms.Gao Mingyue performed some SEM characterizations. Ms.Wei Changpeng analyzed the results. All authors edited the manuscript. All the authors reviewed, discussed, and approved the results and conclusions.
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Tang, P., Xiao, P., Gao, M. et al. Thermodynamic Investigation on K2TiF6 and C Powder to Prepared in-situ TiCp in Molten Al-Si-Fe Alloy. Silicon 16, 4109–4123 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-024-02981-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-024-02981-2