Effect of Iron-intermetallics on the Fluidity of Recycled Aluminium Silicon Cast Alloys

The effect of Fe content on the fluidity of recycled aluminium silicon cast alloy has been investigated in both un-modified and Mn-neutralized states by spiral fluidity test. Increasing Fe decreases the fluidity due to the formation of _-Al5FeSi and _-Al15 (Fe, Mn) 3Si2-intermetallic compounds in un-modified and Mn-neutralized states respectively. At a constant Fe level Mn-neutralization increased fluidity. Manganese neutralization was found to be an effective way of improving the fluidity of recycled aluminium-silicon alloys at a constant concentration of Fe.