Effect of trace La addition on the microstructure and mechanical property of as-cast ADC12 Al-Alloy

The effects of addition of La on the microstructure of as-cast ADC12 Al-Alloy were investigated by using optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS). The experimental results showed that the alpha-Al and eutectic Si crystals were modified with the addition of 0.3 wt% La. The eutectic Si crystals showed a granular distribution. At the same time, the alloy possessed the best mechanical property. When more than 0.3 wt% La was added to ADC12 aluminum alloy, the microstructure of as-cast alloy was coarsening gradually with the increase of the content of La and the mechanical property decreased. The effect of rare earth La which was added in ADC12 Al-Alloy for up to 0.9 wt% had been investigated in this study. The dendrites of ADC12 Al-alloy was refined obviously and the morphology of Si crystals showed a particle structure when the addition of La reached 0.3 wt%. Besides, the acicular La-rich intermetallics in the alloy deteriorated the mechanical property of alloy. To avoid this unwanted phase, the amount of added rare earth La must be less than 0.6 wt%.