The effects of casting thickness, modification and heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of A356.2 alloy have been investigated. Experiments were conducted with unmodified, Sr-modified (0.02% Sr) and Sb-modified (0.2% Sb) on both sand cast test bars with various thicknesses ( from 3 to 9 mm) and permanent mold cast test bars.The microstructural changes associated with these treatments have been studied by optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image analysis.The tensile properties of all samples were determined and the relationship between cooling rate, modification and heat treatment has been investigated.The results show that modification has a beneficial effect on microstructure and improves the mechanical properties of the alloy. Modification has a major role in controlling the kinetics of the spheroidisation of silicon particles during heat treatment. Tensile properties improved more with heat treatment than with modification or cooling rate.Antimony is effective on mechanical properties at higher solidification rates, while Strontium is more effective at lower solidification rates. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.