Microstructural Evolution of Vanadium-Modified A380 Aluminum Alloy under Different Solidification Conditions

Quality requirements for aluminum alloys are continuously increasing with technological advancements, driving the need for improved alloy design and casting control. Alloying additions and solidification conditions play a decisive role in determining the microstructural characteristics of cast aluminum alloys. In this study, a commercial A380 aluminum alloy was modified with vanadium (V) additions of 0.03, 0.06, and 0.1 wt.% and cast in step permanent molds with section thicknesses ranging from 5 to 30 mm, enabling a systematic investigation of different solidification conditions. Melting, liquid metal treatment, metallographic preparation, SEM/EDS analysis, density measurements, and solidification modeling were employed. The results demonstrate that vanadium addition and solidification time jointly govern the morphology and distribution of eutectic silicon and intermetallic phases. Under the investigated casting conditions, a V addition of 0.06 wt.% resulted in the most homogeneous microstructure, while higher V content led to the formation of coarser intermetallic phases, particularly at longer solidification times. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the combined effects of alloying and solidification parameters when optimizing the microstructure of A380 aluminum castings for industrial applications.