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The effect of Zr addition to Al rich binary α-Al - Al₃Ni eutectic cast alloy (Al-3.1 at.% Ni) in enhancing the microstructural stability and strength at high temperature is demonstrated. On subsequent heat treatment after casting, nanometric coherent L1₂ ordered Al₃Zr precipitates form inside the α-Al that strengthen the alloy. Additionally, remarkable stability of eutectic microstructure was observed even after 100 h of annealing at 400 °C. The synergetic effect of the strengthening of the α-Al matrix by coherent Al₃Zr precipitates and the low coarsening rate of the Al₃Ni rods results in a significant increase in high temperature hardness and yield strength of the alloy. The tensile yield strength of the annealed Al-3.1Ni-0.15Zr alloy (400 °C, 10 h) tested at 250 °C is found to be 185 ± 10 MPa, which is 1.5 times higher than the corresponding binary Al-3.1Ni alloy. The experimentally determined average rod size (radius …