Materials and Manufacturing Processes

ISSN: 1042-6914 (Print) 1532-2475 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/lmmp20

Influence of Silicon Morphology and Mechanical

Properties of Piston Alloys

Dheerendra Kumar Dwivedi , A. Sharma & T. V. Rajan

To cite this article: Dheerendra Kumar Dwivedi , A. Sharma & T. V. Rajan (2005) Influence of
Silicon Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Piston Alloys, Materials and Manufacturing
Processes, 20:5, 777-791, DOI: 10.1081/AMP-200055138

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1081/AMP-200055138

Published online: 07 Feb 2007.

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Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 20: 777–791, 2005
Copyright © Taylor & Francis, Inc.
ISSN: 1042-6914 print/1532-2475 online
DOI: 10.1081/AMP-200055138

INFLUENCE OF SILICON MORPHOLOGY AND

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PISTON ALLOYS

Dheerendra Kumar Dwivedi

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, I.I.T., Roorkee, Uttranchal,
India

A. Sharma and T. V. Rajan

Metallurgical Engineering Department, M.N.I.T., Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

In this paper, the influence of silicon particle morphology on mechanical properties

of two piston alloys has been reported. Alloys having nominal composition Al-12%Si-
1%Ni-0.8%Cu-0.6%Mg (LM13) and Al-17%Si-1%Ni-0.8%Cu-0.6%Mg (LM28) were
prepared by melting and casting. The morphology of silicon crystals was changed using
additives during the melt treatment and subsequently by heat treatment. Mechanical
properties such as hardness, ductility, and tensile strength of experimental alloys
were tested. Test results showed that the melt treatment and heat treatment of
both the alloys increased the tensile strength, hardness, and ductility. However, the
influence of melt treatment on mechanical properties was not as significant as that
of heat treatment. Tensile strength and ductility of LM13 was found to be higher
than the LM28 alloy under similar conditions. Hardness of LM28 was higher than
the LM13 alloy. Optical and SEM studies showed a change in eutectic silicon
morphology on melt treatment of LM13. However, change in morphology of primary
silicon particles was not significant as for LM28. Heat treatment of both alloys
caused spheroidization and better distribution of eutectic silicon crystals. Sharp-edged
primary silicon particles were rounded off after the heat treatment of LM28. Scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) of tensile fractured surfaces was carried out to study the
influence of microstructure on fracture mode. Heat treatment of both alloys promotes
dimple fracture. However, as-cast and melt-treated alloys show predominantly cleavage
fracture.

Key Words: Artificial age hardening; Cast Al–Si alloys; Eutectic and hypereutectic alloys; Grain
refinement; LM13 and LM28; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Mode of fracture; Modification;
Spheroidization.

1. INTRODUCTION
The growth in consumption of aluminium during the last 40 years has been
faster than that of many other metals including iron and copper. Widespread
application has been made possible mainly because of important changes brought
about in casting technology [1, 2]. Al–Si alloys may be broadly classified into the

Received June 20, 2004; Accepted September 4, 2004

Address correspondence to Dheerendra Kumar Dwivedi, Mechanical and Industrial
Engineering Department, I.I.T., Roorkee 247667, Uttranchal, India; Fax: 91-1332-273560; E-mail:
dkd04fme@iitr.ernet.in

777
778 DWIVEDI ET AL.

following three groups: (i) hypoeutectic (<11% Si), (ii) eutectic (11–13% Si), and (iii)
hypereutectic (>13% Si). Each of these classes consists of a number of alloys that
are suitable for specific applications [3, 4].
Efforts are still being made by technologists to further improve mechanical
properties by changing the microstructure via casting (i.e., sand casting, metal mold
casting, pressure die casting, and stir casting) [5, 6], molten metal treatment (fluxing,
degassing, modification, grain refinement, or suitable alloying) [6–20], and heat
treatment [21–27], and mechanical working [28], because mechanical properties of
cast Al–Si alloys are structure (phase and grain) sensitive. The morphology of the
silicon phase can be changed by certain addition and controlling casting condition
to obtain the desired combination of mechanical properties. The properties of an
Al–Si casting alloy can be improved by applying one or more of the following
molten metal treatments [3].
1. Grain refinement
2. Eutectic modification
3. Primary silicon refinement

Grain Refinement
Hypoeutectic alloys have a large proportion of primary aluminium in their
microstructure. Casting quality can be improved by grain refinement, which reduces
the size of the primary aluminium grains. This causes improved feeding during
solidification, reduced and more evenly distributed shrinkage porosity, improved
mechanical properties, better dispersion of second phases and impurities, reduced
solution time required for heat treatable alloys, improved surface finish, and reduced
hot tearing [5, 6, 8–11].

Eutectic Modification
Application of Al–Si alloys increased when it was discovered that by adding
small quantities of alkaline elements (sodium, antimony, and strontium) to the Al–Si
melt, a change in microstructure and improvement in mechanical properties were
realized. This change was due to the disappearance of needle-shaped silicon crystals
and the formation of very fine fibrous eutectic silicon in a solid solution matrix [5,
12, 13, 26]. This transformation is known as “modification.”

Primary Silicon Refinement

In a hypereutectic alloy (>13% Si), the microstructure contains primary silicon
grains in a eutectic matrix. The mechanical properties, machinability, and wear
resistance of these alloys depend on size, shape, and distribution of these hard
grains. The size of the silicon grains would vary depending upon the casting, but
refinement reduces the size from around 1 mm to 50 µm or less [3, 24].
In view of the above, the present investigation is an attempt to improve
the mechanical properties of eutectic (LM13) and hypereutectic (LM28) Al–Si
alloys through melt treatment and heat treatment. LM13 was modified by
strontium (Al-10%Sr) and refined with Al-5%Ti-1%B, whereas LM28 was refined
by red phosphorous. Melt-treated alloys were given the T6 aging treatment.
 SILICON MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PISTON ALLOYS 779

The influence of melt treatment and heat treatment on tensile strength, ductility, and
hardness was investigated.

2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

2.1. Material
The two base alloys developed for the investigations are (i) a near-eutectic Al–
Si alloy (LM13) and (ii) a hypereutectic Al–Si alloy (LM28). Experimental alloys
were prepared by careful melting of master alloys such as Al-28%Si, Al-30%Cu,
Al-10%Ni, and Al-10%Mg in appropriate quantities with aluminium of 99.99%
purity in an electric resistance furnace. Necessary allowances for melting losses
were also taken into account in computation of charges. After proper mixing, the
molten alloys were cast in a metallic mold (25 mm × 37 mm × 150 mm). The nominal
compositions of experimental alloys are as given in Table 1.
Molten LM13 was treated for grain refinement of aluminium crystals and
modification of eutectic silicon, whereas LM28 was melt-treated for refinement of
primary silicon crystals only. Alloys in the melt-treated condition are considered
melt-treated alloys in the following sections.
Grain refinement of LM13 was carried out by adding 0.2% of Al-5%Ti-1%B
master alloy. Modification was done by addition of Al-10%Sr master alloy. The
charge was melted in a preheated graphite crucible using an electric resistance
furnace. The melt was covered with flux to avoid oxidation. Degassing was carried
out with hexachloroethane. After fluxing and degassing, a calculated amount of Al-
5%Ti-1%B wrapped in aluminium foil was added to LM13 with constant stirring of
the melt at 720 ± 5
C. This was followed (after 20 min of addition of grain refiner)
by addition of 0.06% strontium in the form of Al-10%Sr master alloy to the melt.
After holding for 10 min, dross was removed, and subsequently the molten alloy was
poured into cylindrical metal molds.
Primary silicon particles in LM28 were refined using 0.05% red phosphorus.
The molten metal was kept at 900
C. Before adding the phosphorus-based refiner,
degassing was carried out with hexachloroethane. The refiner was then plunged deep
into the melt until the reaction was completed. The melt so prepared was poured at
900
C into the metallic mold. A filter was kept at the top of the metallic mold to
trap inclusions and dross particles, if any, during pouring in both cases.
Alloys under investigation were subjected to a heat-treatment cycle (T6 ), which
was solutionizing, quenching, and artificial age hardening. Melt-treated LM13 and
LM28 were heat-treated to further enhance the mechanical properties. Both alloys
were solution-treated at 510 ± 5
C for 6 hours followed by quenching in water at

Table 1 Nominal composition of Al–Si alloys

Element (Wt. %)

Alloy Si Ni Cu Mg Al

Eutectic alloy (LM13) 12.0 1.0 0.80 0.60 Balance

Hypereutectic alloy (LM28) 17.0 1.0 0.80 0.60 Balance
780 DWIVEDI ET AL.

30
C and artificial aging at 170 ± 5
C for 12 hours. These alloys are considered heat-
treated LM13 or LM28 in the following sections.

2.2. Testing
Samples required for various tests were machined from as-cast, melt-treated,
and heat-treated LM13 and LM28. Each test was repeated three times and average
value of properties computed. Tensile properties (tensile strength and ductility
in terms of percentage elongation) were tested using a Hounsefield computerized
tensile testing machine (20 KN). Tensile tests were carried out on round samples
having a 5.05-mm gauge diameter and 25.2-mm gauge length. The samples were
tested at constant strain rate of 1.0 mm/min. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS)
and ductility in terms of percentage elongation were calculated. Samples for
hardness measurement were polished with emery paper up to 2/0 grade. Hardness
at five different locations over the entire cross-section was measured using a Vickers
hardness testing machine with a load of 5 kgf.
2.2.1. Microscopy. Samples for microstructural studies were cut from ingot
castings in different alloy conditions. Specimens were polished using standard
metallographic procedure using a series of emery papers from 1/0 to 4/0 grade and
finally polished on sylvet cloth using fine alumina grade-I. Polished samples were
etched with Keller’s reagent. A Reichert Jung (MEF–3) optical microscope was used
for examination of microstructure. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies
were carried out on tensile-fractured surfaces. Line analysis of LM13 was carried
out by JEOL super probe microanalyzer model JXA 8600M.

3. RESULTS

3.1. EPMA Analysis Al–Si Alloys

Electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) was carried out on representative
samples of LM13 using a JEOL super probe microanalyzer to observe the
distribution of various alloying elements (Fig. 1). As can be observed from the
line scan, silicon appears to be absent where aluminium is present, which may be
due to extremely small solid solubility of silicon in aluminium. It is observed that
magnesium and silicon have high peaks in concentration almost matching with each
other at different regions analyzed. It can be inferred that they form a compound.
The possible compound may be Mg2 Si.

3.2. Microstructure
3.2.1. Al-5%Ti-1%B master alloy. Figure 2 shows the SEM image of the
Al-5%Ti-1%B grain refiner. It is observed that the morphology of TiAl3 particles is
blocky in nature. The TiB2 particles of the order of 0.5 to 5 µm size are observed,
which form stable nucleation sites for interaction. These particles help in obtaining
the fine-grain
-aluminium.
3.2.2. LM13 alloy. Figure 3(a–c) shows the optical microphotographs of
LM13 in various conditions. The primary
-aluminium dendrites are embedded in
the eutectic matrix. The eutectic silicon (gray) particles are found in and around
 SILICON MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PISTON ALLOYS 781

Figure 1 Line scan for heat-treated LM13 alloy.

the interdendritic region of aluminium dendrites largely in elemental form. Copper

is mainly present in solid solution in the matrix. Magnesium, being a powerful
precipitation hardener, produces fine precipitates of Mg2 Si on the heat treatment.
The microstructure of as-cast LM13 consists of primary aluminium dendrites with
an average size of 50 µm. The eutectic silicon crystals are platelike in appearance
(Fig. 3a). Melt treatment affects the microstructure of LM13. Grain refinement
reduces the interdendritic arm spacing of
-aluminium dendrites. Dendrite arm
spacing is reduced from 50 to 25 µm due to grain refinement (Fig. 3b). Modification
refines eutectic silicon crystals and changes the morphology of these crystals from

Figure 2 SEM image of Al-5%Ti-1%B grain refiner (500X).

782 DWIVEDI ET AL.

Figure 3 Microphotographs of LM13 under a) as-cast, b) melt-treated, and c) heat-treated conditions

(200X).

acicular to fibrous. Finer structure is observed in Fig. 3b rather than in Fig. 3a. Heat
treatment of LM13 results in significant change in morphology of eutectic silicon
and aluminium grains. Heat treatment causes spheroidization of eutectic silicon
crystals (Fig. 3c). It may be observed that spheroidization of silicon crystals takes
place predominantly in the vicinity of grain boundaries.
3.2.3. LM28 alloy. Figure 4(a–c) shows the optical microphotographs of
LM28 in various conditions. As-cast alloy (Fig. 4a) shows coarse polyhedral-shaped
primary silicon crystals in a eutectic matrix. Haque [12] has also reported a similar
structure of the hypereutectic Al–Si alloy. Melt treatment of LM28 with the addition
of red phosphorous refines the primary silicon particles (Fig. 4b). Heat treatment of
LM28 changes the morphology of primary and eutectic silicon crystals significantly
(Fig. 4c). Complete spheroidization of eutectic silicon crystals takes place, and
 SILICON MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PISTON ALLOYS 783

Figure 4 Microphotographs of LM28 under a) as-cast, b) melt-treated, and c) heat-treated conditions

(200X).

sharp edges of primary silicon particles are rounded off. Round morphology of
eutectic silicon crystals would reduce the stress concentration at particle-matrix
interface, thereby increasing the stress required to nucleate a void at the particle-
matrix interface. However, heat treatment does not affect the size of primary silicon
crystals.

3.3. Mechanical Properties

3.3.1. Hardness. Table 2 shows the hardness of LM13 and LM28 in
different conditions. Hardness of LM13 increases from 102 VHN to 110 VHN on
784 DWIVEDI ET AL.

Table 2 Mechanical test results

Alloy LM13 LM28

Melt- Heat- Melt- Heat-

Alloy condition As-cast treated treated As-cast treated treated

Tensile strength [N/mm2 ] 205 224 252 144 152 183

Hardness [VHN] 102 110 124 117 124 145
Ductility [%age elongation] 1.5 1.8 2.5 1 1.08 1.28

melt treatment, and heat treatment further increases it from 110 HN to 124 VHN.
Hardness of LM28 increases from 117 VHN to 124 VHN on melt treatment, and
heat treatment increases it from 124 VHN to 145 VHN. Hardness of both LM13 and
LM28 alloys in the as-cast condition is lower than in melt-treated and heat-treated
conditions. Hardness of LM13 is lower than LM28 under identical conditions.
Higher hardness of LM28 is attributed to the higher silicon percentage.
3.3.2. Tensile strength and ductility. Table 2 also shows the tensile
strength and ductility of LM13 and LM28 alloy in different conditions. Tensile
strength of LM13 increases from 205 MPa to 224 MPa on melt treatment, and heat
treatment further increases it from 224 MPa to 252 MPa. Tensile strength of LM28
increases from 144 MPa to 152 MPa on melt treatment, and heat treatment increases
it from 152 MPa to 183 MPa. Results reveal that both melt treatment and heat
treatment improve tensile strength of experimental alloys under investigation. Heat
treatment of LM13 increases the strength from 224 MPa to 252 MPa, while heat
treatment of LM28 increases the strength from 152 MPa to 183 MPa. Figure 5 (a,
b) shows the typical stress-strain diagram for as-cast LM13 and LM28 alloys. It
is observed that the ductility of both alloys is very low (about 1%) in the as-cast
condition. Ductility of both alloys is not significantly affected by melt treatment.
Moreover, heat treatment increases the ductility of both alloys appreciably. Tensile
strength and ductility of LM13 were found higher than LM28 under identical
conditions. It is attributed to the presence of hard primary silicon particles in a
eutectic matrix of LM28. Since silicon crystals possess very high hardness and
low strength, under tensile load these do not deform but fracture easily. Plastic
deformation of the soft eutectic matrix nucleates voids at particle-matrix interfaces.
Increase in tensile strength of experimental alloys after melt treatment is attributed
to the fact that the larger second-phase particles lower the stress required to nucleate
cracks/voids. Increase in tensile strength and ductility of both alloys may be
attributed to the spheroidization of eutectic silicon crystals. This is because stresses
required to nucleate a void or crack at a particle-matrix interface can increase with
this morphology under external load.

3.4. SEM Study of Tensile-Fractured Surfaces

Tensile-fractured surfaces were observed under SEM to identify the mode of
fracture of experimental alloys in different conditions. Figures 6(a–c) and 7(a–c)
show the SEM images of tensile-fractured surfaces of LM13 and LM28 under
different conditions, respectively.
 SILICON MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PISTON ALLOYS 785

Figure 5 Typical stress-strain diagram of as-cast a) LM13 and b) LM28.

The SEM image of a tensile-fractured surface of as-cast LM13 (Fig. 6a) reveals
well-faceted brittle appearance of silicon particles and black rounded areas from
where hard second-phase particles seem to have been pulled out during tensile
loading. Fine dimples and intergranular decohesion fracture surfaces are also visible.
This shows the mixed mode of fracture. Small dimples indicate that some plastic
deformation has taken place prior to fracture. Cleavage formation may be attributed
to the presence of acicular silicon needles and a hard and brittle Mg2 Si phase.
The SEM image of the tensile-fractured surface of melt-treated LM13 exhibits
cleavage fracture along with some fine dimples (Fig. 6b). The smooth, silky area
and semi dimple patterns indicate a tendency towards ductile rupture. The SEM
image of the tensile-fractured surface of LM13 in the heat-treated condition (Fig.
6c) reveals mostly fine dimples with few cleavage facets. This shows that good plastic
deformation has taken place prior to fracture. It shows that the ability of matrix to
deform plastically has increased.
786 DWIVEDI ET AL.

Figure 6 SEM images of tensile-fractured surfaces of LM13 alloy under a) as-cast, b) melt-treated, and
c) heat-treated conditions.

The SEM image of the tensile-fractured surface of LM28 in the as-cast

condition (Fig. 7a) reveals a large proportion of brightly reflecting cleavage facets.
Transgranular fracture of hard primary silicon particles is observed along with
black rounded cavities possibly representing the zones from where primary silicon
particles have been pulled out during tensile loading. Some secondary cracks in
these cavities are also visible. The fracture is mainly brittle in nature. These
observations indicate low ductility and brittle fracture. The SEM image of a tensile-
fractured surface of LM28 in the melt-treated condition (Fig. 7b) shows fine
transgranular cleavage facets due to breaking (fracture) of primary silicon particles.
Other features of a fractured surface of a melt-treated alloy are the same as that of
 SILICON MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PISTON ALLOYS 787

Figure 7 SEM images of LM28 tensile-fractured surfaces under a) as-cast, b) melt-treated, and c) heat-
treated conditions.

the as-cast alloy (Fig. 7a). The SEM image of a tensile-fractured surface of LM28
in the heat-treated condition (Fig. 7c) shows significant change in the mode of
fracture. The fractograph reveals that the fracture mode is mixed, showing dimples
in the aluminium matrix with cleavage fracture with bright cleavage facets and
transgranular fracture of silicon particles. Dimples are visible, indicating that some
plastic deformation has taken place prior to fracture.
788 DWIVEDI ET AL.

4. DISCUSSION
It is clear from the results that there is improvement in the mechanical
properties of experimental alloys due to melt treatment and heat treatment.

4.1. Microstructure of Experimental Alloys

4.1.1. LM13 alloy. As-cast alloy (Fig. 3a) is already modified to some extent
because of high cooling rate (due to casting in a metallic mold). However, the
shape of eutectic silicon is still acicular/needle type. It may be attributed to a
higher growth rate of the aluminium phase than the silicon because of low latent
heat and high thermal conductivity of the former compared with the latter. Due
to the high growth rate of aluminium, it forms a cover/envelop around the silicon
crystal and prevents its growth. Needle-shape morphology of silicon crystals is not
favorable from a mechanical property point of view because such silicon crystals
act as internal stress raisers and provide easy paths for fracture. Silicon precipitates
mainly in the form of needles within the Al–Si eutectic along with a dispersed
Mg2 Si phase. Modification of the alloy by strontium produces the fine eutectic
of Al–Si, and the morphology of eutectic silicon changes from needle/acicular to
fibrous (Fig. 3b). The addition of strontium may lower the nucleation as well as
the growth temperature during solidification. These two factors would increase the
nucleation rate and decrease the growth rate. A fine, intimate mixture of aluminium
and silicon is formed due to modification. It may also be attributed to the fact
that strontium reduces the surface tension of liquid aluminium, which prevents the
growth of eutectic silicon crystals.
Refinement of
-aluminium dendrites with the addition of Al-5%Ti-1%B grain
refiner in the molten alloy takes place due to the fact that nuclei such as TiB2 and
TiAl3 are produced in the melt. These particles provide many nucleation sites, which
ultimately leads to fine-grained structure of aluminium. Eutectic silicon particles
are spheroidized in the matrix of aluminium after heat treatment (Fig. 3c). This
morphology can reduce the stress concentration at particle-matrix interfaces and
discourage the nucleation of cracks and their propagation under external load.
Hence, spheroidization of silicon crystals can be attributed to an increase in tensile
strength and ductility after heat treatment. Heat treatment of the alloy causes
complete dissolution of Mg2 Si, and the entire network of silicon is broken down
into fine globules [21, 24].
4.1.2. LM28 alloy. In LM28 the primary silicon particles can be present
in several different forms, such as star-shaped primary silicon particles, polyhedral
primary silicon, and dendritic primary silicon. The morphology of primary silicon
crystals depends considerably on solidification parameters such as freezing rate,
temperature gradient in the liquid, and composition of the liquid. Uniform
distribution of fine primary silicon particles is desirable for better mechanical
properties and wear resistance. The microphotograph (Fig. 5a) shows formation
of coarse primary silicon particles together with widely distributed eutectic silicon
needles in as-cast LM28. Refinement of primary silicon was achieved by addition
of phosphorous (P). Phosphorous reacts with liquid aluminium to form aluminium
phosphide (AlP), which has a crystal structure similar to that of silicon. Therefore,
aluminium phosphide crystals act as effective heterogeneous nucleants for primary
 SILICON MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PISTON ALLOYS 789

silicon particles [6, 24]. Since silicon particles nucleate and grow first in the molten
alloy during the solidification, the remaining liquid behaves as the hypoeutectic Al–
Si alloy and produces aluminium dendrites and eutectic silicon. It is apparent that
eutectic silicon morphology is not affected by phosphorous addition. Heat treatment
of this alloy changes the morphology of eutectic silicon crystals only, while primary
silicon particles are not affected significantly. After heat treatment, eutectic silicon
crystals are spheroidized, and sharp corners of primary silicon particles are rounded
off (Fig. 5c). This morphology is favorable from the tensile strength and ductility
point of view.

4.2. Mechanical Properties of Experimental Alloys

Acicular silicon crystals in as-cast LM13 act as internal stress raisers in the
microstructure and provide an easy path for fracture. Therefore, low strength
(202 MPa) was observed. Sharp-edged silicon crystals may cause high stress
concentration at the particle-matrix interface and easy crack nucleation. This leads
to cleavage fracture (Fig. 7a).
Melt treatment improves the mechanical strength of Al–Si alloys. An increase
in tensile properties of LM13 after melt treatment is probably due to a change in
morphology of silicon crystals besides the refinement of aluminium dendrites and
eutectic silicon crystals. Refinement of silicon particles increases resistance to plastic
deformation [29]. Hence, higher stresses are required for nucleation of crack at the
particle-matrix interface.
Increasing strength and ductility of heat-treated alloys is attributed to
increasing cohesion between second-phase particles and matrix, spheroidization of
eutectic silicon crystals, and precipitation hardening. Near-spherical-shaped silicon
particles inhibit crack nucleation and resist plastic deformation, causing an increase
in strength and ductility [25]. Plastic deformation prior to fracture in heat-treated
alloys increases significantly (Fig. 7c), which in turn increases load and elongation
at fracture.
It is apparent that the second-phase particles (dispersoids and precipitates)
play a crucial role in the fracture process. They affect tensile strength and ductility.
It has been reported that elongated particles crack more easily than spheroids. Heat
treatment of LM13 promotes dimple fracture rather than cleavage (brittle) fracture.
Dimple fracture is high-energy fracture compared with cleavage (brittle). That is
why heat-treated LM13 could withstand higher tensile stresses (252 MPa) than the
as-cast and melt-treated alloys in which cleavage fracture dominates (Fig. 7a, b).
Poor tensile strength and ductility of as-cast LM28 as compared with the melt-
treated condition may primarily be due to the presence of coarse silicon particles.
Coarse primary silicon crystals lead to lower plastic deformation and promote low
energy cleavage fracture. A coarser structure lowers the stress required to nucleate
cracks. Large, hard second-phase silicon crystals allow plastic deformation of the
soft and ductile matrix; therefore, fracture of hard and brittle silicon crystals takes
place, which nucleates cracks [1, 2]. The tensile strength and ductility of LM28 are
lower than LM13 under identical conditions. The presence of low-strength, hard,
and brittle primary silicon particles in a soft aluminium matrix (in LM28) increases
the void/crack nucleation tendency. Therefore, lower strength of LM28 is observed
compared with LM13 irrespective of alloy conditions. These primary silicon crystals
790 DWIVEDI ET AL.

are absent in LM13. This is also supported by the SEM study. Brittle fracture is
dominating in case of LM28 (Fig. 7) than compared with LM13 (Fig. 6) under
identical conditions.
The increase in hardness of LM13 after melt treatment may be attributed to
refinement of aluminium grains and eutectic silicon crystals. Increasing in hardness
of LM28 after melt treatment is attributed to the refinement and better distribution
of primary silicon crystals. After heat treatment, both alloys show significant
increase in hardness. Increase in hardness of heat-treated alloys is also attributed to
precipitation hardening due to formation of Mg2 Si and increased cohesion between
silicon crystals and the soft aluminium matrix. Greater cohesiveness and strength
achieved by heat treatment renders the matrix stronger [5, 21].

CONCLUSION
1. Modification of LM13 using strontium refines the eutectic silicon crystals, and
simultaneously, the addition of Al-5%Ti-1%B reduces the dendrite arm spacing
of aluminium grains. This refinement of aluminium dendrites and eutectic silicon
enhances tensile strength and ductility. Refinement of primary silicon particles
using red phosphorous also enhances the mechanical properties. Modification
does not change the mode of fracture appreciably.
2. Heat treatment of both LM13 and LM28 causes the spheroidization of eutectic
silicon crystals, which in turn enhances hardness, tensile strength, and ductility.
The influence of heat treatment on mechanical properties (hardness, tensile
strength, and ductility) has been found greater than that of the melt treatment.
Heat treatment of both LM13 and LM28 encourages dimple fracture. Higher
silicon content in LM28 than LM13 promotes brittle fracture.

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