Evolution of Al32Si7Fe4Co Intermetallic Phase in Cobalt Containing Al-Si-Fe Scrap Alloy

This study focuses on the microstructural analysis of Fe-rich intermetallics in the aluminium scrap alloy with the addition of cobalt. Cobalt in the form of Al-10Co was inoculated into the molten Al-Si-Fe scrap alloy, followed by casting and heat treatment. Microstructural analysis of the alloys was conducted with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This study reports a new quaternary phase, Al 32 Si 7 Fe 4 Co in both the as-cast and heat-treated alloys with similar elemental compositions. This phase was verified through EDS and XRD. This study provides the microstructural and phase stability of the cobalt addition alloys with their detailed mechanism of evolution.