Microstructure Formation in Al-Bi-Co Immiscible Alloys Directionally Solidified with Different Melt Superheat Temperatures

The directional solidification has been carried out for the Al-4Bi-2.5Co (wt pct) alloys with different melt superheat temperatures. The microstructure characterization and the quantitative metallographic analysis have been performed. The results indicated that the Bi-rich sphere size and cellular spacing decrease with increasing melt superheat temperature. The interaction between the advancing solidification interface and the Bi-rich spheres with different sizes was analyzed. The effect of the melt superheat treatment on microstructure evolution was discussed for the immiscible alloys. The microstructure development in ternary Al-Bi-Co alloys directionally solidified with different melt superheat temperatures was clarified.