Grain refining of aluminium alloys and silicon by means of boron-nitride particles

Investigations were carried out to grain refine the aluminium alloys Al-6Si (all compositions given in wt.%) and Al-12Si as well as pure silicon by means of inoculation using boron nitride nano-particles. Comparative tests were performed using both conventional grain refiners based on titanium as well as without inoculants. Analyses were performed using scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing, thermographic and metallographic techniques. In doing this, a significant effect on grain refining is verified by inoculating using boron nitride which exceeds the effect of conventional grain refiners.