Development of high-strength,low-cost wrought Mg–2.5 mass% Zn alloy through micro-alloying with Ca and La

A high-strength low-cost Mg–2.5Zn–0.3Ca–0.4La (mass%) alloy was fabricated by hot extrusion following direct-chill casting. Yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation to failure of the alloy are 325 MPa, 341 MPa and 15%, respectively. The high strength of the extruded Mg–2.5Zn–0.3Ca–0.4La alloy is mainly due to grain refinement, dense precipitation and high density of dislocations. The extruded alloy exhibits a bimodal microstructure containing fine dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grains and deformed regions. High density of dislocations is stored in the deformed regions while dense precipitates are homogeneously distributed in both the DRXed grains and the deformed regions. However, precipitates in the DRXed regions show in spherical shape only, while they are in rod-like shape and spherical shape in the deformed regions.     

Development of extruded Mg-6Er-3Y-1.5Zn-0.4Mn (wt.%) alloy with high strength at elevated temperature

A new Mg-6Er-3Y-1.5Zn-0.4 Mn (wt.%) alloy with high strength at high temperature was designed and extruded at 350 °C. The as-extruded alloy exhibits ultimate tensile strength of 301 MPa, yield strength (along ED) of 274 MPa and thermal conductivity of 73 W/m⋅K at 300 °C. Such outstanding high-temperature strength is mainly attributed to the formation of nano-spaced solute-segregated basal plane stacking faults (SFs) with a large aspect ratio throughout the entire Mg matrix, fine dynamically recrystallized (DRXed) grains of 1–2 μm and strongly textured un-DRXed grains with numerous sub-structures. Microstructural examination unveils that long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases are formed in Mg matrix of the as-cast alloy when rational design of alloy composition was employed, i.e. (Er + Y): Zn = 3: 1 and Er: Y = 1: 1 (at.%). It is worth mentioning that it is the first report regarding the formation of nano-spaced basal plane SFs throughout both DRXed and un-DRXed grains in as-extruded alloy with well-designed compositions and processing parameters. The results provide new opportunities to the development of deformed Mg alloys with satisfactory mechanical performance for high-temperature services.     

Effect of forced-air cooling on the microstructure and age-hardening response of extruded Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy full with LPSO lamella

The homogenized Mg-8.2Gd-3.8Y-1.0Zn-0.4 Zr (wt.％) alloy full of plate-shaped long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases was hot extruded in the atmosphere and cooled by the forced-air,then the effect of forced-air cooling on the microstructure and age-hardening response of the alloy was investigated in this work.The results show that in comparison with the extruded sample cooling in the atmosphere,the forced-air cooling restricts dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and brings about finer dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grain size,stronger basal texture and higher dislocation density.Furthermore,the forced-air cooling promotes the dynamic precipitation in the DRXed regions and facilitates formation of plate-shaped LPSO phases and γ'phases with smaller interspacing in the unrecrystallized (unDRXed) regions,then slightly restricts the precipitation of β'phases during aging.After peak-ageing treatment,the extruded sample with forced-air cooling shows superior tensile properties with a tensile yield strength of 439 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 493 MPa,and elongation to failure of 18.6 ％.     

Influence of size and distribution of W phase on strength and ductility of high strength Mg-5.1Zn-3.2Y-0.4Zr-0.4Ca alloy processed by indirect extrusion

A high strength Mg-5.1Zn-3.2Y-0.4Zr-0.4Ca(wt%) alloy containing W phase(Mg_3Y_2Zn_3) prepared by permanent mold direct-chill casting is indirectly extruded at 350?C and 400?C, respectively. The extruded alloys show bimodal grain structure consisting of fine dynamic recrystallized(DRXed) grains and unrecrystallized coarse regions containing fine W phase and β2' precipitates. The fragmented W phase particles induced by extrusion stimulate nucleation of DRXed grains, leading to the formation of fine DRXed grains, which are mainly distributed near the W particle bands along the extrusion direction. The alloy extruded at 350?C exhibits yield strength of 373 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 403 MPa and elongation to failure of 5.1%. While the alloy extruded at 400?C shows lower yield strength of 332 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of 352 MPa and higher elongation to failure of 12%. The mechanical properties of the as-extruded alloys vary with the distribution and size of W phase. A higher fraction of DRXed grains is obtained due to the homogeneous distribution of micron-scale broken W phase particles in the alloy extruded at 400?C, which can lead to higher ductility. In addition, the nano-scale dynamic W phase precipitates distributed in the un DRXed regions are refined at lower extrusion temperature. The smaller size of nano-scale W phase precipitates leads to a higher fraction of un DRXed regions which contributes to higher strength of the alloy extruded at 350?C.     

Microstructural evolution,mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of as-cast Mg-5Li-3Al-2Zn alloy with different Sn and Y addition

Influences of Sn and Y on the microstructure,mechanical properties,and corrosion behavior of as-cast Mg-5Li-3Al-2Zn (LAZ532) alloy were investigated.The addition of Sn and Y refines grains and results in the formation of Mg2Sn and Al2Y phases,thus improving the mechanical properties of alloy by second phase strengthening and grain refinement strengthening.As-cast LAZ532 alloy shows typical filiform corrosion morphology,and the addition of Sn and Y does not change the corrosion mode of alloy.Ascast LAZ532-0.8Sn-1.2Y alloy shows excellent mechanical properties with yield strength of 166.2 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of 228.6 MPa and elongation of 14.8 ％,and exhibits the best corrosion resistance with the smallest corrosion current density and the lowest anodic dissolution rate.     

Microstructure,mechanical properties and yield asymmetry of Mg–4Al–2Sn–xY alloys

The effect of 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9?wt-% Y addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Mg–4Al–2Sn alloys were investigated. The results show that α-Mg, Mg₁₇Al₁₂, Mg₂Sn and Al₂Y phases form in the extruded Y-containing alloys. Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase, containing trace amounts of Y, tends to distribute on the grain boundaries in the form of needles. When the Y content is 0.6?wt-%, the alloy has the best combination mechanical properties. Its tensile yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and tensile elongation are 172?MPa, 270?MPa and 11.2%, respectively. As the Y content increases, the tensile and compressive asymmetries in the Mg–4Al–2Sn–xY alloy decrease, due to grain refinement and the weakening of texture.     

Zn对铸态Mg-Y-Nd-Zr合金组织和力学性能的影响

采用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射分析及力学性能测试等研究Zn元素对Mg-Y-Nd-Zr铸态合金显微组织及力学性能的影响。结果表明:随着Zn含量的增加,Mg-Y-Nd-Zr-xZn(x=0.0%,0.5%,1.0%,1.5%,质量分数)合金的晶粒逐渐细化,平均晶粒尺寸由(57±0.8)μm细化至(30±0.3)μm,晶界处共晶相的体积分数也逐渐增加。Mg-Y-Nd-Zr铸态合金中主要存在Mg12Nd相和Mg24Y5相,加入0.5%Zn后,合金中出现Mg12YZn相。随Zn含量的增加,Mg12YZn相的体积分数不断增大,合金的力学性能逐渐提高。当Zn含量为1.0%时,合金具有最优的力学性能,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为(208±5.9),(159±3.9)MPa和(7.5±0.2)%,较未加Zn的合金分别提高了18,42MPa和1.2%。     

Influence of undissolved second-phase particles on dynamic recrystallization behavior of Mg-7Sn-1Al-1Zn alloy during low-and high-temperature extrusions

This study investigates the effects of fine and coarse undissolved particles in a billet of the Mg-7Sn-1Al-1Zn (TAZ711) alloy on the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior during hot extrusion at low and high temperatures and the resultant microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy.To this end,partially homogenized (PH) and fully homogenized (FH) billets are extruded at temperatures of 250 and 450 ℃.The PH billet contains fine and coarse undissolved Mg2Sn particles in the interdendritic region and along the grain boundaries,respectively.The fine particles (＜1 μm in size) retard DRX during extrusion at 250 ℃ via the Zener pinning effect,and this retardation causes a decrease in the area fraction of dynamically recrystallized (DRXed) grains of the extruded alloy.In addition,the inhomogeneous distribution of fine particles in the PH billet leads to the formation of a bimodal DRXed grain structure with excessively grown grains in particle-scarce regions.In contrast,in the FH billet,numerous nanosized Mg2Sn precipitates are formed throughout the material during extrusion at 250 ℃,which,in turn,leads to the formation of small,uniform DRXed grains by the grain-boundary pinning effect of the precipitates.When the PH billet is extruded at the high temperature of 450 ℃,the retardation effect of the fine particles on DRX is weakened by their dissolution in the α-Mg matrix and the increased extent of thermally activated grain-boundary migration.In contrast,the coarse Mg2Sn particles in the billet promote DRX during extrusion through the particle-stimulated nucleation phenomenon,which results in an increase in the area fraction of DRXed grains.At both low and high extrusion temperatures,the extruded material fabricated using the PH billet,which contains both fine and coarse undissolved particles,has a lower tensile strength than that fabricated using the FH billet,which is virtually devoid of second-phase particles.This lower strength of the former is attributed mainly to the larger grains and/or absence of nanosized M2Sn precipitates in it.     

Effect of Zr on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Mg–10Gd–3Y magnesium alloy

The influence of Zr on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Mg–10Gd–3Y (wt.%) magnesium alloy was investigated. The grain size of alloys decreased with Zr content from 0% to 0.93% (wt.%). The addition of Zr greatly improved the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and the elongation (EL), while slightly improved the tensile yield strength (TYS). The UTS and the EL of the alloy containing 0.93% Zr increased by 125.8 MPa and 6.96% compared with base alloy, respectively. The corrosion resistances were found to decrease with Zr content from 0% to 0.42% and then increase from 0.42% to 0.93%. The differences in the sizes and distributions of the Zr-rich particles have significant effects on the corrosion behaviors. The alloy with 0.42% Zr addition revealed the optimum combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.     

Compressive deformation and forging behavior of Ti14 alloy in semi-solid state

Deformation behavior and formability of Ti14, a new typical α + Ti₂Cu alloy in the semi-solid state, were investigated by compressive tests in temperature range between 1223 and 1473 K and by forging tests between 1223 and 1373 K. Tensile tests of the forged alloys were also performed to study the effect of forging on mechanical properties. The results show that the maximum compressive stress was greatly dependent on the fraction solid, and that a transition in stress occurred at a solid fraction between 0.94 and 0.98 (corresponding to the temperature between 1323 and 1373 K). This transition was related to the decrease in amount of solid bridges between grains. Excellent formability and grain refinement due to dynamic recrystallization were achieved during the semi-solid forging. Furthermore, tensile tests showed a high ultimate tensile strength and yield strength after semi-solid forging at more than 1273 K, which was attributed to the grain refinement caused by the semi-solid forging. Ductility was also improved by changing the forging ratio. These results indicate that both good formability and tensile properties can be simultaneously attained by the compressive processing in the semi-solid state.     

Effects of Zn content on microstructures and mechanical properties of as cast Mg–Zn–Y–Zr alloys

Abstract

In the present work, the effects of Zn content on the microstructures and mechanical properties of as cast Mg–xZn–5Y–0·6Zr alloys (x?=?2, 5, 8 and 13 wt-%) have been investigated. The results show that the ternary Mg–Zn–Y phase compositions change with Zn/Y ratios induced by the change in Zn content. It is found that the fracture is mainly decided by the characteristics and distribution of second phase rather than the grain size. The influences of these phases, especially the W phase, on the mechanical properties of the alloys have been discussed. Both ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation decrease with the increase in Zn content, while the instance of yield strength (YS) is just the reverse. The W phase is easily cracked because of its brittleness and easy to result in decohesion from the matrix because of the weak atomic bonding, which greatly degrade the UTS and elongation. It can be concluded that the YS closely depends on the grain size, while UTS and elongation closely depend on the volume fraction of eutectic compound (α-Mg+W phase).     

Mg-Al-Ca-Mn-Zn变形镁合金的组织和力学性能

将Mg-1Al-0.4Ca-0.5Mn-0.2Zn(质量分数,%)合金在不同温度挤压,研究其微观组织和力学性能。结果表明：在260℃和290℃挤压的合金均发生不完全动态再结晶,再结晶晶粒尺寸分别为0.75 μm和1.2 μm。二者均具有高密度的G.P.区和球状纳米析出相,能抑制位错运动并为动态再结晶提供丰富的形核位点。沿晶界析出的纳米相能抑制晶界的运动和限制再结晶晶粒的生长,从而生成尺寸为0.75 μm的超细晶粒。随着挤压温度从260℃提高到290℃,合金的屈服强度从322 MPa提高到343 MPa,伸长率分别为13.4%和13%,没有明显的变化。挤压温度的提高促进了动态析出和动态回复,使合金中积累了高密度纳米盘状相和球状相,大量位错通过动态回复转变成小角度晶界,将未再结晶区域细分成密集的层状亚晶粒,二者均能抑制新位错的运动。这些因素,是在290℃挤压后的合金仍具有较高屈服强度和塑性没有明显变化的主要原因。纳米相对位错的钉扎在一定程度上限制了动态回复的发生,使合金中仍存在较高数量的残余位错,也有利于提高其屈服强度。     

Development of high-performance quaternary LPSO Mg–Y–Zn–Al alloys by Disintegrated Melt Deposition technique

In the present study, new quaternary MgY_1.65Zn_0.74Al_0.53 and MgY_3.72Zn_1.96Al_0.45 alloys (wt.%) were synthesized employing the Disintegrated Melt Deposition (DMD) casting technique followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization revealed the presence of 14H long-period stacking ordered structure (LPSO) and Mg₄Y₂ZnAl₃ phases aligned along the direction of extrusion in both alloys. Refined grains (⩽5 μm) due to the effect of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) were also observed to co-exist with larger worked grains (⩾20 μm) in the extruded microstructures. Compared to monolithic Mg, significant increase in the microhardness (∼67–88%), tensile yield strength (∼245–290%) and ultimate tensile strength (∼113–144%) were observed in the Mg–Y–Zn–Al alloys. Despite the significant increase in strength of materials, failure strains of both Mg–Y–Zn–Al alloys were comparable to monolithic Mg. Ignition temperatures of both Mg–Y–Zn–Al alloys were found to outperform commercially available AZ31, AZ80 and WE43 (high-temperature) Mg alloys, and the highest ignition temperature of 770 °C was achieved in the MgY_3.72Zn_1.96Al_0.45 alloy.     

Effects of samarium content on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–0.5Zn–0.5Zr alloy

Effects of samarium (Sm) content (0, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, 6.5 wt%) on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–0.5Zn–0.5 Zr alloy under as-cast and as-extruded states were thoroughly investigated. Results indicate that grains of the as-cast alloys are gradually refined as Sm content increases. The dominant intermetallic phase changes from Mg₃Sm to Mg₄₁Sm₅ till Sm content exceeds 5.0 wt%. The dynamically precipitated intermetallic phase during hot-extrusion in all Sm-containing alloys is Mg₃Sm. The intermetallic particles induced by Sm addition could act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for dynamic recrystallization during hot extrusion. They promoted dynamic recrystallization via the particle stimulated nucleation mechanism, and resulted in weakening the basal texture in the as-extruded alloys. Sm addition can significantly enhance the strength of the as-extruded Mg–0.5Zn–0.5 Zr alloy at room temperature, with the optimal dosage of 3.5 wt%. The optimal yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) are 368 MPa and 383 MPa, which were enhanced by approximately 23.1% and 20.8% compared with the Sm-free alloy, respectively. Based on microstructural analysis, the dominant strengthening mechanisms are revealed to be grain boundary strengthening and dispersion strengthening.     

Hierarchical microstructure and two-stage corrosion behavior of a high-performance near-eutectic Zn-Li alloy

In order to improve mechanical and corrosion properties of biodegradable pure Zn,a knowledge-based microstructure design is performed on Zn-Li alloy system composed of hard β-LiZn4 and soft Zn phases.Precipitation and multi-modal grain structure are designed to toughen β-LiZn4 while strengthen Zn,resulting in high strength and high ductility for both the phases.Needle-like secondary Zn precipi-tates form in β-LiZn4,while fine-scale networks of string-like β-LiZn4 precipitates form in Zn with a tri-modal grain structure.As a result,near-eutectic Zn-0.48Li alloy with an outstanding combination of high strength and high ductility has been fabricated through hot-warm rolling,a novel fabrication process to realize the microstructure design.The as-rolled alloy has yield strength (YS) of 246 MPa,the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 395 MPa and elongation to failure (EL) of 47 ％.Immersion test in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 30 days reveals that Li-rich products form preferentially at initial stage,followed by Zn-rich products with prolonged time.Aqueous insoluble Li2CO3 forms a protective passivation film on the alloy surface,which suppresses the average corrosion rate from 81.2 μm/year at day one down dramatically to 18.2 μm/year at day five.Afterwards,the average corrosion rate increases slightly with decrease of Li2CO3 content,which undulates around the clinical requirements on corrosion resistance(i.e.,20 μm/year) claimed for biodegradable metal stents.     

Effect of Al on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–2Sn–0.5Mn alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–2Sn–0.5Mn–xAl (x?=?0, 1, 2, 3) alloy are investigated. The addition of Al leads to the refinement of grain size and the formation of Al₆Mn, Mg₃₂(Al,Zn)₄₉ also forms when the amount of Al is higher than 2?wt-%. Because of the addition of Al, the precipitates in the alloy after ageing treatment are refined. The alloy containing 1?wt-% Al shows good mechanical properties in the as-cast state which is attributed to the refined grains and low volume fraction of large second phases, it also shows high strength after ageing treatment resulted mainly from the homogeneously distributed fine precipitates, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation are 183, 310?MPa and 11%, respectively.     

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Mg-9.8Gd-2.7Y-0.4Zr alloy produced by repetitive upsetting

A newly developed severe plastic deformation(SPD) technique, i.e. repetitive upsetting(RU), is employed to improve the strength and ductility of a Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy. During the RU processing, dynamic recrystallization occurs in the Mg alloy, which leads to a significant grain refinement from 11.2 μm to 2.8 μm.The yield strength(YS), ultimate tensile strength(UTS) and elongation increase simultaneously with increasing RU passes. The microstructural evolution is affected by processing temperatures. Dynamic recrystallization prevails at low temperatures, while dynamic recovery is the main effect factor at high temperatures. Texture characteristics gradually become random during multiple passes of RU processing,which reduces the tension-compression asymmetry of the Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy.     

累积叠轧纯Mg/ZK60镁合金层状金属复合材料的组织与性能

采用累积叠轧技术在300℃下制备了纯Mg/ZK60 Mg合金多层复合板材。经过初始复合后,Mg层和ZK60层晶粒明显细化,随着循环次数的增加,Mg/ZK60复合板材两组元晶粒细化并不明显。两种组元的层厚随着循环次数的上升而逐渐降低,两次循环后Mg/ZK60复合板材出现波浪状组织。累积叠轧后,Mg/ZK60复合板材中Mg层和ZK60层呈现典型的轧制织构类型,{0001}基面均向轧制方向发生轻微偏转。Mg/ZK60复合板材的强度及延伸率均介于轧制态的ZK60板与Mg板之间,并随着循环次数的增加逐渐提高。Mg/ZK60复合板材室温阻尼性能和高温阻尼性能均介于纯Mg与ZK60之间,而高温下Mg/ZK60复合板材的高温阻尼则与ZK60板材变化趋势相类似。      

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Ca alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

An ultrafine-grained (UFG) Mg–5.12 wt.% Zn–0.32 wt.% Ca alloy with an average grain size of 0.7 μm was produced by subjecting the as-extruded alloy to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) for 4 passes at 250 °C. The fine secondary phase restricted the dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grain growth during the ECAP processing, resulting in a remarkable grain refinement. A new texture was formed in the ECAPed Mg alloy with the {0 0 0 2} plane inclined at an angle of 58° relative to the extrusion direction. The yield stress (YS) was decreased in the as-ECAPed alloy with finer grains, indicating that the texture softening effect was dominant over the strengthening from grain refinement. The ductility of the as-ECAPed alloy was increased to 18.2%. The grain refinement caused an obvious decrease in work hardening rate in the as-ECAPed alloy during tensile deformation at room temperature.