Effects of Yb Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast ADC12 Alloy

The effects of addition of different amounts of rare earth ytterbium (Yb) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the casting ADC12 alloy were investigated by mechanical properties testing and microstructure observation. The results indicate that Yb modification had a big influence on the microstructure and properties of the as-cast alloy. The optimum level of Yb content was 0.8 wt %. The coarse dendritic primary α-Al phases were fully refined, leading to the decreasing of the secondary dendrite arm spacing. The morphology of eutectic silicon phases changed from acicular into short rod-like and even granular. There was a structural transformation of β-Fe phases from massive to small rod-shaped morphology. Additionally, the tensile strength, elongation, and microhardness were 267.9 MPa, 4.2%, and 107.3 HV, respectively, increases of 55.4, 121.1, and 41.4%, respectively, compared with the matrix alloy. Fractographic examinations reveal that mainly ductile fracture for Yb addition of 0.8 wt %. The fracture appearances matched the tendency of the tensile properties. Furthermore, the addition of Yb can generate a rare earth phase consisting of the three elements of Al, Si, Yb, with some small iron-rich phases attached around the rare earth phase