DSC analysis of the effect of processing technique on the dissolution/precipitation reactions in a hypereutectic Al-Si alloy

In the present study, the effect of primary processing route on the dissolution and precipitation reactions in a commercial Al-Si alloy (designated as A390) is investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Al-Si alloy selected for the present investigation was processed using conventional casting and spray atomization and deposition routes. The results of differential scanning calorimetry conducted on the as-processed samples indicated no significant dissolution reaction for the as-cast A390 alloy when compared to the similar results obtained for as-spray atomized and deposited samples. However, the thermal analysis conducted on the solutionized cast and spray deposited samples exhibited no significant difference in the kinetics of precipitation reactions. The results of the differential thermal analyses were finally rationalized in terms of observed microstructural features.