The effect of strontium on the mechanical properties of aluminum–silicon alloy

We have studied the influence of strontium additives on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an aluminum alloy with 15 wt % silicon prepared by directional crystallization using the Stepanov method at a solidification rate of 103 μm/s. The initial alloy has a fine-grained eutectic structure. The introduction of strontium leads to additional refinement of the structure and increases the tensile strength and elongation at break. These characteristics of a directionally crystallized alloy are higher than those of a eutectic alloy obtained by casting to a mold.