Si phase morphology and mechanical properties of ZL107 Al alloy improved by La modification and heat treatment

The phase morphology evolution during the solid solution treatment and then artificial aging of the La-modified ZL107 Al alloy was studied. The results show that when the solid solution was held at 560 °C for 6 h, only partial Si phase dissolved into the matrix; however, the precipitation also occurred during the artificial aging process. The precipitation process in Al-Si alloys with or without La-modification was compared. After modification and heat treatment, the mechanical properties of the alloy were greatly enhanced, due to the modification and uniform distribution of Si phase.