The Determination of the Orientation Relationship Between Primary and Eutectic Aluminum in A.Cast 319 Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

Cast 319 aluminum is an important automotive alloy used for engine blocks and cylinder heads. in order to “optimize” the as-cast microstructure and physical properties, a detailed understanding of its solidification behavior is required. One aspect of the solidification behavior which is not well understood is the mechanism by which aluminum and silicon in the eutectic regions nucleate. Figure 1 is an optical micrograph which identifies the aluminum dendrites, the Al-Si eutectic region, iron intermetallics, and Al₂Cu particles. Dahle, Hjelen & Arnberg have utilized electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) patterns, obtained with an SEM, on several Al-Si alloys to examine the orientation relationship between the aluminum in the eutectic to that of the surrounding aluminum dendrites. in this investigation transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is used to provide a more detailed examination of this eutectic structure while selected area diffraction (SAD) provide similar data to EBSD on the orientation relation between regions of primary and eutectic aluminum.