Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Mn-Sn-Nd wrought alloys

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast and extruded Mg-6Zn-1Mn-4Sn-xNd(x=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5) alloys were investigated by means of optical microscopy(OM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and tensile test. The results showed that the dendrites sizes of these alloys were decreased by the addition of Nd. The phase compositions of the as-cast Mg-Zn-Mn-Sn-Nd alloys were dendritic α-Mg, MgZn2, Mg2 Sn, T phase and MgSnNd ternary phase. The mechanical properties of the as-extruded alloys were improved due to the refined equiaxed grains and dispersive Mg2 Sn and MgSnNd second phases. The comparison of the theoretical yield strength with the experimental yield strength revealed that the yield strength model of the as-extruded alloys should be modified as σys =σMg +σgb +σss +σsp.     

Effect of rolling and heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg3.5Y0.8Ca0.4Zr alloy

The effect of rolling and heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg3.5Y0.8Ca0.4Zr alloy was investigated.With the addition of 0.4Zr,the average grain size of the as-cast alloy was markedly refined to 5-10 μm.After hot rolling process,the grain size of Mg3.5Y0.8Ca0.4Zr alloy was refined further into 3-5 μm and the tensile strength was enhanced while the plasticity was degraded because the accumulation of rolling reduction increased the density of twins,and refined the grain structures.After the solution heat treatment at 743 K,the elongation of alloy was greatly enhanced from 3% to 17%.     

Microstructure and creep behaviour of Mg-12Gd-3Y-1Zn-0.4Zr alloy

Microstructure and creep behaviour of Mg-12Gd-3Y-1Zn-0.4Zr alloy prepared by squeeze casting were investigated. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation revealed that a kind of lamellar-shaped morphologies 14h long-period stacking order structure (LPSO) and dense β’-phase precipitates were formed by heat treatment. The alloy exhibited good creep resistance. It was shown that the creep-resistant performance kept stable because of the restriction of dense β’-phase precipitates and LPSO phases to the movement of dislocations, and the formation of β-phase plates took responsibility for the softening of material during creep. Stress and temperature dependence of the steady-state creep rate were studied over stress range of 50-100 MPa and a temperature range of 250-300 oC, and a dislocation creep mechanism was proposed for the alloy.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Y-Nd-Zr alloys

The microstructure and tensile properties of the as-cast and solution treatment Mg-4.5Zn-1Y-xNd-0.5Zr (x=0, 1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 3 wt.%) alloys were investigated. The results showed that the microstructure of Mg-4.5Zn-1Y-0.5Zr alloy consisted of α-Mg, Zn-Zr, W (Mg₃Y₂Zn₃) and I (Mg₃YZn₆) phases. With the addition of Nd, I-phase disappeared and Mg₃Y₂Zn₃ phase changed into Mg₃(Nd,Y)₂Zn₃ phase. When the content of Nd reached 3 wt.%, T phase, i.e., ternary Mg-Zn-Nd phase, formed. In addition, with the increase of Nd content in the alloys, the secondary dendritic arm spacing decreased, while the amount of intermetallic phases increased. For as-cast Mg-4.5Zn-1Y-xNd-0.5Zr alloys, after solution treatment, microsegregation was eliminated and the shape of eutectic structure of α-Mg+W transformed from lamellar into spherical. The tensile strength and elongation of Mg-4.5Zn-1Y- 3Nd-0.5Zr alloy were increased from 219.2 MPa and 11.0% to 247.5 MPa and 20.0%, respectively.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-10Y-2.5Sm alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of aged Mg-10Y-2.5Sm alloy were investigated.The results showed that the microstructure of the alloy consisted of α-Mg matrix and Mg24Y5 phase,and fine Mg24Y5 particles distributed in α-Mg matrix uniformly and dispersedly.Sm enhanced α-Mg matrix and Mg24Y5 phase by solid solution effect.At 200-300 oC,the ultimate tensile strengths were more than 200 MPa and the elongations were about 3%.Compared with those at room temperature,the mechanical properties had no obvious changes.     

Microstructure evolution,mechanical properties and creep mechanisms of Mg-12Gd-1MM-0.6Zr (wt%) magnesium alloy

In this research, the microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and creep mechanisms of Mg-12Gd-1MM-0.6Zr (wt%) alloy under different conditions were systematically studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and tensile creep tests. Regarding the microstructure of the as-cast sample, the average grain size is about 42 μm, and the eutectic compounds were determined to be Mg₅(Gd_0.8MM_0.2). During homogenization, these eutectic compounds gradually dissolve, and Mg₁₂MM particles are precipitated. During hot extrusion, complete dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurs, resulting in equiaxial grains with an average grain size of about 12 μm and the formation of streamlines consisting of Mg₁₂MM particles along the extrusion direction (ED). After T5 treatment (225 °C for 7 h), a large number of β′(Mg₇Gd) phases are precipitated on the {11–20}α habit plane and are interconnected, forming an interlaced network structure. The ultimate tensile strength (R_m = 405 MPa) and yield strength (R_P0.2 = 288 MPa) of the T5 sample are significantly higher than those of the as-extruded sample (R_m = 289 MPa, R_P0.2 = 185 MPa), but the elongation (A = 4%) was remarkably lower than that of the as-extruded sample (A = 18%). When crept at 225 °C under 100 MPa, the steady-state creep rates of the as-cast, as-extruded, and T5 samples are 1.59 × 10^–8, 1.08 × 10^–8, and 1.40 × 10^–8 s^–1, respectively, and their total strains within 100 h are respectively breaking, 0.81%, and 0.92%, indicating that the as-extruded alloy exhibits the best creep resistance. TEM analysis reveals that, during the creep process of the T5 sample, the β′ particles coarsen and the precipitate-free zones (PFZs) widen, which increase the steady-state creep rate and the total strain within 100 h as compared with the as-extruded sample.     

Microstructure, tensile and creep properties of as-cast Mg-3.8Zn-2.2Ca-xCe（x=0, 0.5,1 and 2 wt.%） magnesium alloys

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-3.8Zn-2.2Ca alloy with different Ce contents were investigated by both optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, tensile and creep tests. The results indi-cated that adding 0.41 wt.%-1.83 wt.% Ce could refine the grains of the alloy, and the grain size gradually decreased as the Ce content in-creased. Furthermore, addition of either 0.41 wt.% or 0.89 wt.% Ce caused the morphology of the Ca2Mg6Zn3 phase to change partially from semi-continuous block to discrete fine particles. However, after adding 1.83 wt.% Ce, portions of the Ca2Mg6Zn3 and Mg12Ce phases were mixed and this Ca2Mg6Zn3+Mg12Ce eutectic changed to a different coarse semi-continuous morphology. In addition, addition of 0.41 wt.%-1.83 wt.% Ce improved the tensile and creep properties of the alloy. Amongst these Ce-containing alloys, the alloy with 0.89 wt.% Ce exhibited the best ultimate tensile strength and elongation while the alloy with 1.83 wt.% Ce had the best yield strength and creep properties.     

Mg-9.0Y-3.0MM-0.6Zr合金均匀化热处理研究

通过OM,SEM及拉伸性能测试,研究了Mg-9.0Y-3.0MM-0.6Zr铸态合金均匀化温度与时间对显微组织的影响,确定该合金合适的均匀化工艺。结果表明:Mg-9.0Y-3.0MM-0.6Zr铸态合金显微组织主要由α-Mg基体相、Mg12(MM)相以及Mg24Y5相组成,晶粒度约为45μm;505,520℃均匀化温度较低,Mg-Y相分解不够完全;经535℃保温18 h均匀化处理后,仅在晶界处残留Mg12(MM)相,延长时间晶粒尺寸没有变化,可见Mg12(MM)相可有效抑制合金晶粒长大;535℃×18 h均匀化处理后合金的力学性能较铸态合金没有明显改变,均匀化态的合金经挤压后,力学性能大幅度提升,σ0.2,σb,δ分别为245,305 MPa和12.5%。均匀化处理后合金断口形貌与铸态合金相似,仅在局部存在少量的韧窝,室温下断裂方式为脆性断裂;挤压后的合金断口形貌呈典型的韧性断裂特征。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy added with cerium

The AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet added with 0.5 wt.% Ce was welded with friction stir welding(FSW).The microstructures and mechanical properties of the welded joint were investigated.The results showed that the microstructures in the weld nugget zone were uniform and with small equiaxed grains.The grains in the heat-affected zone and the thermo-mechanical affected zone were coarser than those in the base metal zone and the weld nugget zone.The ultimate tensile strength of AZ31B magnesium alloy added with 0.5...     

Effect of yttrium,calcium and zirconium on ignition-proof principle and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys

Good ignition-proof principle and mechanical properties were realized in Mg-Y-Ca-Zr alloy system.By adding Y and Ca elements,the ignition point of Mg-3.5Y-0.8Ca alloy was improved to over 1173 K,and the alloy could be melted in air without any protections.The ef-fect of Zr addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-3.5Y-0.8Ca alloys were investigated,and Mg-3.5%Y-0.8%Ca-0.4%Zr alloy had good comprehensive properties with tensile strength of 190 MPa and elongation of 11%.Auger electron spectros-copy(AES) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis revealed that the oxide film formed on the surface of Mg-3.5Y-0.8Ca alloy was mainly composed of Y2O3.Thermogravimetric measurements in dry air indicated that the oxidation dynamics curves measured at 773,873 and 973 K followed the cubic law.Moreover,the semiconductor characteristic of Y2O3 film and its effect on ignition-proof properties of Magnesium al-loys were discussed from the viewpoint of electrochemistry.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-7Zn-3Al alloy with Nd and Y additions

The effects of combined addition of 0.6 wt.% Nd and 0.4 wt.% Y on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-7Zn-3Al alloy were investigated.The results indicated that the Nd and Y addition led to obvious dendrite coarsening.However,it could modify the morphology and distribution of-Mg 32(Al,Zn) 49 intermetallics.Moreover,Al 2 REZn 2 phase could be introduced into the alloy with the Nd and Y addition.With the effective second-phase strengthening,the ultimate tensile strength and elongation in as-cast state can be improved by the Nd and Y addition.After ageing treatment,the alloy with the Nd and Y addition exhibited better precipitation strengthening effects by forming finer MgZn 2 and Mg 32(Al,Zn) 49 precipitates into the-Mg matrix.As a result,the yield and ultimate strength of Mg-7Zn3Al-0.6Nd-0.4Y alloy could be increased to 182 and 300 MPa by peak-ageing treatment.     

Effects of precipitates on grain size and mechanical properties of AZ31-x% Nd magnesium alloy

The effects of precipitates on grain size and mechanical properties of as-cast AZ3 1-x%Nd magnesium alloy were investi- gated, and the affecting mechanism was also discussed. The results indicated that Al2Nd phase, AlllNd3 phase and a few AI-Mn-Nd-Fe phase were furmed when adding 0.38 wt.%-1.46 wt.% Nd into AZ31 melt, coarse AI2Nd transformed into Al11Nd3 gradually with the increasing of Nd content. Due to structure and size transformation and content increasing of AI-Nd phase, the grain size of AZ31-x% Nd alloy increased firstly, and then decreased with the increment of Nd content. After reaching a minimum value, once again it rose up, provided that Nd content was further increased. The tensile property reached its optimal value when the adding amount of Nd content was 1.05 wl.%, however, adding excessive amount of Nd deteriorated both ultimate strength and elongation ofAZ31 alloy.     

Grain coarsening in semi-solid state and tensile mechanical properties of thixoformed AZ91D-RE

For thixoforming to be possible,the microstructure of the starting material must be non-dendritic,which can be obtained by the strain induced melt activation(SIMA)route.Based on the SIMA route,as-cast AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium was deformed by cyclic closed-die forging(CCDF).Microstructure evolution of CCDF formed AZ91D-RE alloy during partial remelting were investigated.Furthermore,the mechanical properties of thixoformed AZ91D-RE magnesium alloy components were also studied.The results showed that prolonged holding time resulted in grain coarsening and the improvement in degree of spheroidization.The coarsening behaviour of solid grains in the semi-solid state obeyed Ostwald ripening mechanism.The coarsening rate constant of CCDF formed AZ91D-RE during partial remelting was 324 um3/s at 550℃.The value of yield strength,ultimate tensile strength and elongation to fracture of four-pass CCDF formed AZ91D-RE magnesium alloy were 214.9,290.5 MPa and 14%,respectively.Then the four-pass CCDF formed alloys were used for thixoforming.After holding at 550℃ for 5 min,the values of yield strength,ultimate tensile strength and elongation to fracture of thixoformed component were 189.6 MPa,274.6 MPa and 12%,respectively.However,prolonged holding time led to remarkable decrease in mechanical properties of thixoformed components.     

Comparison of effects of cerium, yttrium and gadolinium additions on as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Sn-1Mn magnesium alloy

The effects of Ce, Y and Gd additions on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Sn-1Mn alloy were investigated and compared by using optical and electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction analysis, and tensile and creep tests. The results indicated that the microstructure of the Mg-3Sn-1Mn alloy with the addition of 0.87 wt.%Ce was refined while the microstructures of the alloys with the additions of 0.79 wt.%Y or 0.84 wt.%Gd were coarsened. Furthermore, adding 0.87 wt.%Ce to the Mg-3Sn-1...     

Corrosion and mechanical properties of AM50 magnesium alloy after being modified by 1 wt.% rare earth element gadolinium

In order to improve the corrosion and mechanical properties of AM50 magnesium alloy, 1 wt.% Gd was used to modify the AM50 magnesium alloy. The microstructure, corrosion and mechanical properties were evaluated by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), electrochemical and mechanical stretch methods. The results indicated that β-Mg17Al12 phase decreased and Al2Gd3 and Al0.4GdMn1.6 phase existed after Gd addition. Because of the Gd addition, the grain of AM50 magnesium alloy was refined significantly, which improved the tensile strength of AM50 magnesium alloy. The decreasing of β phase improved the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy. The fracture mechanism of the Gd modified AM50 magnesium alloy was quasi-cleavage fracture. The corrosion residual strength(CRS) of AM50 magnesium alloy was improved after 1 wt.% Gd addition.     

Study on microstructure and mechanical properties of ZL107 alloy added with yttrium

The effects of Y on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZL107 alloy were investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brinell hardometer, and MTS 810-22M tensile testing machine in this paper. The results showed that after Y was added to ZL107 alloy, the size of α-Al dendritie reduced, the acicular eutectic Si became short rod-shaped or granular, and the number and size of the blowholes obviously reduced. The mechanical properties of ZL107 alloy firstly increased and then decreased with Y content increasing. When Y content was 0.1 wt.%, the tensile strength and hardness of the alloy were maximum.     

Microstructure evolutions of Mg-8Gd-2Er （wt.%） alloy during isothermal ageing at 200 ℃

The precipitation of the Mg-8Gd-2Er(wt.%) alloy at 200 oC was investigated by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The precipitation sequence was described as supersaturated solid solution(S.S.S.S.,cph)→β’’(D019)→β’(bco)→β-phase(fcc),which was different from previously reported four stages sequence:(S.S.S.S.,cph)→β’’(D019)→β’(bco)→β1(fcc)→β-phase(fcc).The morphologies and crystal structures of both β’’ and β’ precipitates in the alloy were studied in the present investigation.The orientation re-lationship between the precipitate phases and the α-matrix was observed.The ultimate tensile strength(UTS) and tensile yield strength(TYS) of the as-cast alloy were 189 and 110 MPa,respectively,and the UTS and the YTS were improved greatly after ageing treatment.The values of UTS and YTS after peak ageing process were 308 and 246 MPa,respectively.The improved mechanical properties were mainly ascribed to the formation of β’ phase.The age hardening response decreased with increasing ageing time because the β’ phase got coarse as ageing time increased.     

Hot workability of Mg-9Y-1MM-0.6Zr alloy

The behavior evolvement of Mg-9Y-1MM-0.6Zr (WE91) alloy during hot deformation process was discussed. The flow stress behavior of magnesium alloy over the strain rate range of 0.001 to 1 s-1 and the temperature range of 653 to 773 K was studied on a Gleeble-1500D hot simulator under the maximum deformation degree of 60%. The experimental results showed that the relationship between stress and strain was obviously affected by the strain rate and deformation temperature and the flow curves observed were typical of the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization. The flow stress of WE91 magnesium alloy during high temperature deformation could be represented by the Zener-Hollomon parameter in the hyperbolic Arrhenius-type equation. The average deformation activation energy Q and strain coefficient n were 224.11 kJ/mol and 3.08 by calculation,respectively. The processing maps were calculated and analyzed according to the dynamic materials model. The map at strain of 0.916 exhibited three domains with peak efficiency of 49%,44% and 42%,respectively. It was found that the alloy could be extruded at 693 K with mechanical properties of σ0.2=240 MPa,σb=315 MPa and δ=15.5%.     

Effect of Neodymium on As-Cast Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ31 Wrought Alloy

Nd in the form of powder or intermediate alloy was added to AZ31 wrought alloy. The as-obtained alloy was characterized and tested with respect to its microstructure and mechanical properties. The relationship between the microstructure, mechanical properties and tensile fracture mechanism were discussed, with relevant alloys as reference for comparison. Experimental results show that the same quantity of Nd was added into AZ31 in powder form or in intermediate alloy, the absorption rate of Nd reached only 10.8% for the former case and as high as 95% for the later case. Pure Nd powder was added, no new compound was detected, but it served as reductant and purified alloy melt, resulting in improving the tensile strength while Nd was added into AZ31 as Mg-Nd intermediate alloy. The compound Al2Nd and Mg12 Nd were formed in magnesium alloy, which were distributed in the matrix in the shapes of strip and particle, evidently refined the as-cast structure. The as-cast tensile strength (228MPa) of adding pure Nd powder approximated to the figure (245MPa) of adding Mg-Nd intermediate alloy. The tensile fracture mchanism of as-cast AZ31 transformed from cleavage fracture into quasi-cleavage fracture.     

Influences of different Zr/Sc ratios on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-2Si alloy

The influences of different Zr/Sc ratios on the microstructural evolution and mechanical performances of Al-2 Si alloy were investigated in this paper.The as-cast samples were characterized and analyzed by the scanning electron microscope(SEM) with an energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS) to indicate the refining effect of the different Zr/Sc ratios on the α-Al and Si phases in Al-2 Si alloy.The results indicate that the α-Al phases are refined from coarse dendritic structure to relatively fine equiaxed grains when the Zr/Sc ratio is equal to 1:1.Meanwhile,the eutectic Si phase in Al-2 Si-0.2 Zr-0.2 Sc alloy is modified from the coarse plate and needle to fine fiber and partial granular structure,and the average roundness of eutectic Si is decreased by 75% from 16 to 4.With the refinement of α-Al phases and the modification of eutectic Si structure,the ultimate tensile strength(UTS) is improved by 53% and the elongation(EL) is increased by 64% when the Zr/Sc ratio is equal to 1:1.In addition,the UTS decreases and EL is enhanced with the increase of tensile temperature.Moreover,the fracture model of Al-2 Si-0.2 Zr-0.2 Sc alloy in250℃ changes into the ductile fracture.