In AlSi alloys, iron plays an important role, and as one of the main impurities, it causes the formation of b-Al 5 FeSi intermetallics. This study aims to understand the effect of fluid flow on the microstructure and intermetallics in Al-5/7/9 wt-%Si 0?2/0?5/1?0 wt-%Fe alloys directionally solidified in a special furnace facility Artemis-3 under defined thermal and fluid flow conditions (generated through rotating magnetic field). Results showed that forced flow can cause shortening of the b platelets in dendritic regions with increasing their number density. The studies have shown that application of stirring could lead to better results in shortening b-Al 5 FeSi than lowering Fe content in the range from 1?0 to 0?2 wt-%Fe. It is deduced that the melt flowing together with the b phases reaches the superheated bulk where intermetallics could be fragmented or remelted, and finally, microstructures with shorter b-Al 5 FeSi and higher number density of b might be obtained.

Purpose Personal branding becomes a new in-demand skill for all professionals today. To be well-known helps to achieve success in the networked business environment. Personal relationships and a good reputation in the reality of network economy help young artists and art designers move up the career ladder. This paper aims to discuss a problem of artists who often find it difficult to define their artistic and self-distinction identities. The concept of personal brand and branding seems quite irrelevant, especially in reference to their own selves. People usually associate branding with marketing, which in our minds is usually the same as “pushy” and aggressive sales practices. Their find problematic to promote themselves. The purpose of this paper is to highlight that, based on existing theories, artistic identity creation in connection with the skill of personal branding is crucial for personal success in the profession of today’s young artists and art designers. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted based on the data originally collected among artists, designers, architecture professionals and students. The data have been analyzed with the equal structural equation modeling method. Findings This paper presents empirical evidence that if artists view themselves as personal brands, it affects their personal performance in a positive way. Practical implications Authors claim that a teaching curriculum for young adult artists should include a personal branding program, to help them find and support their artistic identity and express their personal values and self-brand distinction, and leverage them to build their professional career. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to quantify the self-brand performance of young art designers as a benefit of being self-brand oriented.

The presence of Fe aids in establishing the mechanical and physical properties of AlSi alloys and is also one of the main impurities leading to formation of b-Al 5 FeSi intermetallics. This study aims to understand the effect of fluid flow on the dendritic microstructure with intermetallics in Al-5/7/9 wt pct Si-0.2/0.5/1.0 wt pct Fe alloys that are directionally solidified under defined thermal and fluid flow conditions. We made extensive use of 3D X-ray tomography to obtain a better insight into the morphology and formation of the intermetallics. Three-dimensional (3-D) distribution of intermetallics presented here shows that the growth of large b-Al 5 FeSi due to forced flow occurs in the eutectic specimen center and together with an increase in the number density of b precipitates. The 3D reconstructions have verified the b shaped to be curved, bent with twining, branched, and to have imprints, holes, and propeller-shaped platelets. The 3D views showed that hole-shaped b arose from the lateral growth around a-Al dendrites. These views also confirmed the phenomenon of shortening of b as an effect of flow in the dendritic region, where b could be fragmented or completely remelted, and ultimately resulting in microstructures with shorter b-Al 5 FeSi and increases in number density. The analysis revealed an interaction between melt flow, 3D distribution, and the morphology of b-Al 5 FeSi. The growth of a large and complex group of b intermetallics can reduce the melt flow between dendrites and strengthen pore nucleation and eutectic colonies nucleation, leading to lower permeability of the mushy zone and increased porosity in the castings.

Solidification of AlSiFe alloys was studied using a directional solidification facility and the CALPHAD technique was applied to calculate phase diagrams and to predict occurring phases. The specimens solidified by electromagnetic stirring showed segregation across, and the measured chemical compositions were transferred into phase diagrams. The ternary phase diagrams presented different solidification paths caused by segregation in each selected specimen. The property diagrams showed modification in the sequence and precipitation temperature of the phases. It is proposed in the study to use thermodynamic calculations with Thermo-Calc which enables us to visualize the mushy zone in directional solidification. 2D maps based on property diagrams show a mushy zone with a liquid channel in the AlSi7Fe1.0 specimen center, where significant mass fraction (33%) of β-Al5FeSi phases may precipitate before α-Al dendrites form. Otherwise liquid channel occurred almost empty of β in AlSi7Fe0.5 specimen and completely without β in AlSi9Fe0.2. The property diagrams revealed also possible formation of α-Al8Fe2Si phases.