Effect of Nd on primary silicon and eutectic silicon in hypereutectic Al–Si alloy

In the present study, the effect of Nd on primary silicon and eutectic silicon in hypereutectic Al-20 wt.%Si alloy has been investigated. It has been concluded that Nd in Al–P–Ti–TiC–Nd modifier can modify not only eutectic silicon but also primary silicon in hypereutectic Al-20 wt.%Si alloy. Statistical analysis shows that primary and eutectic silicon crystallite sizes (approximately 60 μm and 40 μm in length, respectively) in modified Al-20 wt.%Si alloy with Al–P–Ti–TiC modifier are about seven- and two-times larger than those (approximately 22 μm and 18 μm in length, respectively) in modified Al-20 wt.%Si alloy with Al–P–Ti–TiC–Nd modifier, respectively.