Influence of nanoparticles on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Sr-modified Al-10Si alloys

In this work, the significant refinement of primary and eutectic grains in Sr-modified Al-10Si alloys was achieved upon addition of TiCN nanoparticles (NPs). When the NP addition level is increased up to 2.0 vol%, the tensile strength increases from 256 to 331 MPa, microhardness from 95 to 132 HV and the elongation from 3.2 to 6.5%. The reasons for such enhanced mechanical properties are rationalized by unveiling the roles of NPs in the microstructural evolution.