Grain Refinement

The project “Effect of Variation of Grain Refiner (Ti-B) On LM-25” has following
objective,

 “The objective of this work was to determine the influence of Ti and B %

content by weight on the structure and mechanical properties of near
hypoeutectic Al–Si alloys obtained by gravity die casting or permanent mold
casting.”

The major alloying element in 4xxx series alloys is silicon, which can be added
in sufficient quantities (up to 12%) to cause substantial lowering of the melting
range without producing brittleness. For this reason, aluminum-silicon alloys
are used in welding wire and as brazing alloys for joining aluminum, where a
lower melting range than that of the base metal is required.

Most alloys in this series are non-heat treatable, but when used in welding
heat-treatable alloys, they pick up some of the alloying constituents of the
latter and so respond to heat treatment to a limited extent. The alloys
containing appreciable amounts of silicon become dark gray to charcoal when
anodic oxide finishes are applied and hence are in demand for architectural
applications. Alloy 4032 has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high
wear resistance; thus, it is well suited to production of forged engine pistons.
Titanium depresses the electrical conductivity of aluminum, but its level can be
reduced by the addition of boron to the melt to form insoluble TiB2.

 Titanium is used primarily as a grain refiner of aluminum alloy castings

and ingots.

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  When used alone, the effect of titanium decreases with time of holding
in the molten state and with repeated re-melting.

The grain-refining effect is enhanced if boron is present in the melt or if it is

added as a master alloy containing boron largely combined as TiB2. It is usually
added alone or with TiB2 during the casting of sheet or extrusion ingots to
refine the as cast grain structure and to prevent cracking.

Boron improves conductivity by precipitating vanadium, titanium, chromium,

and molybdenum.

 Boron can be used alone (at levels of 0.005 to 0.1%) as a grain refiner
during solidification, but it becomes more effective when used with an
excess of titanium.

The effect of Ti-B was to be studied for microstructure and mechanical

properties such as hardness, tensile strength, % of elongation and also the
change in the electrical conductivity were to be studied by the conductivity
meter.