Thermal-rate treatment and structure transformation of Al-13 wt.% Si alloy melt

By thermal-rate treatment technology at 875 degrees C, the structure of an Al-13 wt.% Si alloy is modified without any addition of modifying elements. The structures of the melt of the Al-13 wt.% Si alloy heated in the temperature range from 625 degrees C to 1250 degrees C, were investigated using a high temperature X-ray diffractometer. Increasing the temperature up to 775 degrees C, the atomic density and the coordination number of the alloy increase slowly. A sudden change in those parameters occurs in the temperature range from 775 degrees C to 875 degrees C. The relationship between the modified solid structure and the melt structure is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.