Aluminum-based hybrid parts were fabricated through a compound casting process with Al or Cu inserts which can be used for applications requiring high conductivity. Because the interface stability between the insert and the aluminum matrix is important, the effects of process variables on the interfacial adhesion strength were investigated. Additions of Cu and Mg to Al melt were found to enhance the adhesion strength, though the melt fluidity was slightly deteriorated when a small amount of Mg was added. An isothermal heating process after casting further improved the strength. However AlCu intermetallic compounds formed and their thickness increased during the heating process. As a result, deterioration in the interfacial adhesion strength was observed after an excessive annealing treatment.

The effects of Sc and Sr elements on the modification of the eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase and the castability were investigated in the Al-4wt%Mg-0.9wt%Si-0.3wt%Mn-0.15wt%Fe alloy. Measurements of the cooling curve and microstructure observations were performed to analyze the additional effects of Sc and Sr minor elements during the solidification process. A prominent effect found on the modification of the eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase with additions of the Sr and Sc elements. Here, a fine eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase and a decrease in the growth temperature of the eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase were evident with an addition of Sc element up to 0.2 wt%. The growth temperature of the eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase decreased and the effect on the modification of the eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase increased with the addition of Sr element up to 0.02 wt%. The addition of 0.02wt%Sr had the strongest effect on the modification of the eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase, and the resulting microstructure of the eutectic $Mg_2Si$ phase was found to have a fibrous morphology with a decreased aspect ratio and an increased modification ratio. Fluidity and shrinkage tests were conducted to evaluate the castability of the alloy. The addition of 0.02wt%Sr effectively increased the fluidity of the alloy, while an addition of Sc did not show any effect compared to when nothing was added. The maximum filling length was recorded for 0.01wt%TiB-0.02wt%Sr owing to the effect of the fine ${\alpha}$-Al grains. The macro-shrinkage ratio decreased, while the micro-shrinkage ratio increased with the addition of various eutectic modifiers. The highest ratio of micro-shrinkage was recorded for the 0.02wt%Sr condition. However, the total shrinkage ratio was nearly identical regardless of the amounts added in this study.

The effect of Sr addition on mechanical and bio-corrosion properties of as-cast Mg-3wt.%Zn-0.5wt.%Ca-xwt.%Sr (x = 0.3, 0.6, 0.9) alloys were examined for application as biodegradable implant material. The microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the as-cast Mg-Zn-Ca-Sr alloys were characterized by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing and electrochemical measurement in Hank's solution. The as-cast alloys contained ${\alpha}$-Mg and eutectic $Ca_2Mg_6Zn_3$ phases, while the alloys contained ${\alpha}$-Mg, $Ca_2Mg_6Zn_3$ and Mg-Zn-Ca-Sr intermetallic compound when the Sr addition was more than 0.3 wt.%. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation increased with the increasing of Sr content up to 0.6 wt.% but decreased in the 0.9 wt.% Sr-added alloy, whereas the corrosion resistance of 0.3 wt.% Sr-added alloy was superior to other alloys. It was thought that profuse Mg-Zn-Ca-Sr intermetallic compound deteriorated both the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the as-cast alloy.

This study reports the influence of gadolinium (Gd) addition on mechanical and corrosion properties of 2205 duplex stainless steel. In all alloys produced, regardless of the initial Gd content, Gd-based inclusions were well distributed in the duplex stainless steel matrix. As the Gd content increased from 0 wt% to 0.19 wt%, the ultimate tensile strength and hardness of the alloy increased from 630 MPa to 977 MPa and from 57 to 61, respectively, while elastic modulus, tensile elongation and impact energy of the alloy decreased. The critical crevice temperatures of Alloy1, Alloy2 and Alloy3 were $20^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$, respectively.

Segregation during solidification and homogenization during thermal exposure in GTD 111 were investigated. The microstructures of as-cast, standard heat-treated, and thermally exposed specimens were observed by SEM. A compositional analysis of each specimen was conducted by EDS. The dendrite core was enriched in W and Co, though lower levels of Ti and Ta were observed. An unexpected phase, in this case like the ${\eta}$ phase, was observed due to segregation near the ${\gamma}-{\gamma}^{\prime}$ eutectic in the standard heat-treated specimen. Segregation also induced microstructural evolution near the ${\gamma}-{\gamma}^{\prime}$ eutectic during the standard heat treatment. A quantitative analysis and microstructural observations showed that the thermal exposure at a high temperature enhanced the chemical homogeneity of the alloy.

Due to excellent abrasion resistance the high-chrome white irons are widely used in mining and mineral industries. Minor variation of carbon content in 28% chrome white iron resulted in difference in primarily solidified microstructure. Sub-eutectic (hypoeutectic) composition led to formation of primarily solidified dendrites. Formation of primarily solidified dendrites which were supersaturated with carbon and chrome also caused precipitation of fine secondary carbides that are different from relatively large plate type $M_7C_3$ carbides in the eutectic structure. Small portion of primarily solidified dendrite expected to contribute significantly to the improvement of abrasion resistance of the white iron because the dendrites provided mechanical support to carbides. The relative fraction of primary dendrite increased with reduction of carbon content from the eutectic composition. The increased fraction of primary dendrite increased hardness value of the white irons.