Abstract
In this study, casting A356 alloy was pre-alloyed with Ni, and the modification process with Sr was applied by the casting method. The role of Ni on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the produced A356-Ni alloys was investigated. The produced alloys were naturally aged at room temperature for 24 h and artificially aged at 170 °C for 10 h. Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffractometer were used in microstructure studies of the A356-Ni alloys. Tensile tests and hardness measurements were carried out to determine mechanical properties. Statistical analysis of Weibull distribution on the tensile test results revealed that the characteristic ultimate tensile strength increased due to increasing the amount of alloying elements, while the characteristic percentage elongation is decreased. This was because Al-Si-Fe intermetallic decomposition and Al-Si-Fe-Ni intermetallics were formed, primarily, 0.5 and 1.0 % Ni addition. It was also determined that the Al-Si-Fe-Ni intermetallics with a morphology non-sharp corners formed more homogeneous in the microstructure. But in the A356 alloys with the addition of 1.5 % Ni, Al-Si-Fe-Ni intermetallics are formed in coarser morphology. In A356 alloys, aluminium dendrites, Al-Si eutectic between dendrites, Mg2Si precipitates are formed in the structure by ageing. Depending on the amount of Ni added to the A356 alloy, the tensile strength of the alloys containing 0.5 and 1.0 % Ni is increased.

Key words
A356 alloy, nickel, microstructure, T6 heat treatment, mechanical properties

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