Effects of high magnetic fields on solidification microstructure of Al–Si alloys

The effects of high magnetic fields on the solidification microstructure of Al–Si alloys were investigated. Al–7.2 wt%Si and Al–11.8 wt%Si alloys were solidified in various high magnetic fields at different cooling rates. The secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) of the primary Al dendrites and the lamellar spacing (LS) of the eutectics were measured. It was found that the application of a high magnetic field could decrease the SDAS of the primary Al dendrites in Al–7.2 wt%Si alloys and the LS of the eutectics in Al–11.8 wt%Si alloys. The effects of the high magnetic field on the SDAS decreased with increasing cooling rate. The decrease in the SDAS and LS can be attributed to the decrease of the solute diffusivity in the liquid ahead of the solid/liquid interface during the growth of the dendrite and eutectic. This decrease is caused by the high magnetic field which can damp the convection and avoid its contributions to the diffusion.