Microstructural evolution of new type Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy with Er and Zr additions during homogenization

A comprehensive study on the microstructural evolution of a new type Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Er–Zr alloy during homogenization was conducted by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that serious segregation exists in as-cast alloy, and the primary phases are T(AlZnMgCu), S(Al₂CuMg) and Al₈Cu₄Er, which preferentially locate in the grain boundary regions. The soluble T(AlZnMgCu) and S(Al₂CuMg) phases dissolve into the matrix gradually during single-stage homogenized at 465 °C with prolonging holding time, but the residual Al₈Cu₄Er phase cannot dissolve completely. Compared with the single-stage homogenization, both a finer particle size and a higher volume fraction of L1₂-structured Al₃(Er, Zr) dispersoids can be obtained in the two-stage homogenization process. A suitable homogenization scheme for the present alloy is (400 °C, 10 h)+(465 °C, 24 h), which is consistent with the results of homogenization kinetic analysis.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of homogenization and isothermal aging Mg–Gd–Er–Zn–Zr alloy

The effects of homogenization and isothermal aging treatment on the mechanical properties of Mg–12Gd–2Er–1Zn–0.6Zr(wt%) alloy were investigated. The precipitated long-period stacking order(LPSO) structure and the aging precipitation sequence of the conditioned alloys were observed and analyzed, respectively. The results indicate that the 14H-LPSO structure occurs after the homogenization treatment and the b0 phase forms after the isothermal aging process. These two independent processes could be controlled by the precipitation temperature range. The significant increase in the elongation of the as-cast alloy after homogenization treatment is attributed to the disappearance of the coarse primary Mg5(Gd, Er, Zn) phase and the presence of the 14H-LPSO structure. The precipitation sequence of the investigated alloy is a-Mg(SSS)/b00(D019)/b0(cbco)/b.Furthermore, the yield tensile strength(YTS) and ultimate tensile strength(UTS) values of the isothermal aging alloy have a great improvement, which could be attributed to the high density of the precipitated b0 phase.     

Fine-grained Mg–1Mn–0.5Al–0.5Ca–0.5Zn alloy with high strength and good ductility fabricated by conventional extrusion

Mg–1Mn–0.5Al–0.5Ca–0.5Zn (wt.%) alloy was fabricated by conventional extrusion at 673 K with an extrusion ratio of 25:1, followed by aging at 473 K. The microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electron back-scattered diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical properties were determined by the tensile test. The peak-aged sample shows fine recrystallized grains with an average grain size of 1.7 μm. Area fraction of Al–Ca particles in the alloy increases significantly after peak aging. Meanwhile, both 〈a〉 and 〈c+a〉 dislocations were observed to remain in the alloy after hot extrusion. Thus, the peak-aged sample exhibits simultaneously high strength and good ductility with the ultimate tensile stress, tensile yield stress, and tension fracture elongation of 320 MPa, 314 MPa, and 19.0%, respectively.     

Microstructural Evolution and Biodegradation Response of Mg–2Zn–0.5Nd Alloy During Tensile and Compressive Deformation

The effect of deformation behavior on the in vitro corrosion rate of Mg–2Zn–0.5 Nd alloy was investigated experimentally after uniaxial tensile and compressive stress. The microstructure and texture were characterized using electron backscattered diffraction and X-ray diffraction, while potentiodynamic polarization and immersion tests were used to investigate the corrosion response after deformation. The result reveals that applied compressive stress has more dominant effect on the corrosion rate of Mg–2 Zn–0.5 Nd alloy as compared to tensile stress. Both tensile and compressive strains introduce dislocation slip and deformation twins in the alloy, thereby accelerating the corrosion rate due to the increased stress corrosion related to dislocation slips and deformation twins. The {10ī2} tension twinning and prismatic slip were the major contributors to tensile deformation while basal slip, and {10ī2} tension twin were obtainable during compressive deformation. The twinning activity after deformation increases with the plastic strain and this correlates with the degradation rate.     

Enhanced mechanical properties and formability of hot-rolled Mg–Zn–Mn alloy by Ca and Sm alloying

In order to broaden the application of wrought Mg alloy sheets in the automotive industry, the influence of Ca and Sm alloying on the texture evolution, mechanical properties, and formability of a hot-rolled Mg–2Zn–0.2Mn alloy was investigated by OM, XRD, SEM, EBSD, tensile tests, and Erichsen test. The results showed that the average grain size and basal texture intensity of Mg–2Zn–0.2Mn alloys were remarkably decreased after Ca and Sm additions. 0.64 wt.% Ca or 0.48 wt.% Sm addition significantly increased the tensile strength, ductility and formability. Moreover, the synergetic addition of Sm and Ca improved the ductility and formability of Mg–2Zn–0.2Mn alloy, which was due to the change of Ca distribution and further reduction of the size of Ca-containing particles by Sm addition. The results provided a possibility of replacing RE elements with Ca and Sm in Mg alloys which bring about outstanding mechanical properties and formability.     

Effects of cooling rate on microstructure,mechanical and corrosion properties of Mg–Zn–Ca alloy

Mg₆₉Zn₂₇Ca₄ alloys with diameters of 1.5, 2 and 3 mm were fabricated using copper mold injection casting method. Microstructural analysis reveals that the alloy with a diameter of 1.5 mm is almost completely composed of amorphous phase. However, with the cooling rate decline, a little α-Mg and MgZn dendrites can be found in the amorphous matrix. Based on the microstructural and tensile results, the ductile dendrites are conceived to be highly responsible for the enhanced compressive strain from 1.3% to 3.1% by increasing the sample diameter from 1.5 mm to 3 mm. In addition, the Mg₆₉Zn₂₇Ca₄ alloy with 1.5 mm diameter has the best corrosion properties. The current Mg-based alloys show much better corrosion resistance than the traditionally commercial wrought magnesium alloy ZK60 in simulated sea-water.     

Effects of extrusion and heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–8Zn–1Al–0.5Cu–0.5Mn alloy

The effects of extrusion and heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–8Zn–1Al–0.5Cu– 0.5Mn magnesium alloy were investigated. Bimodal microstructure is formed in this alloy when it is extruded at 230 and 260 °C, and complete DRX occurs at the extruding temperature of 290 °C. The basal texture of as-extruded alloys is reduced gradually with increasing extrusion temperature due to the larger volume fraction of recrystallized structure at higher temperatures. For the alloy extruded at 290 °C, four different heat treatments routes were investigated. After solution + aging treatments, the grains sizes become larger. Finer and far more densely dispersed precipitates are found in the alloy with solution + double-aging treatments compared with alloy with solution + single-aging treatment. Tensile properties are enhanced remarkably by solution + double-aging treatment with the yield strength, tensile strength and elongation being 298 MPa, 348 MPa and 18%, respectively. This is attributed to the combined effects of fine dynamically recrystallized grains and the uniformly distributed finer precipitates.     

Quasicrystal dissolution and performance of isothermally heat-treated Mg–Zn–Y alloy

Conventional casting method was employed to prepare Mg–Zn–Y alloy only with a-Mg+I-phase; however, the grain size of quasicrystal is quite large in the ascast state.Therefore, isothermal treatment was applied to refine the quasicrystal phase.The result shows that after the Mg–Zn–Y alloy was isothermally treated at 500 °C for several hours, the coarse quasicrystal can be gradually dissolved and thus refined.Generally, the dissolving processes of quasicrystal are slow first and then accelerate;after isothermally treated with 8 h at 500 °C, the quasicrystal is almost completely dissolved into the matrix only with 1–5 lm tiny quasicrystals remained.Refinement of quasicrystal can markedly reduce the wear resistance, but increase the corrosion resistance.     

Aging precipitation behavior and properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Zr–Er alloy at different quenching rates

The effect of quenching rate on the aging precipitation behavior and properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Zr–Er alloy was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography were used to study the characteristics of clusters and precipitates in the alloy. The quench-induced η phase and a large number of clusters are formed in the air-cooled alloy with the slowest cooling rate, which contributes to an increment of hardness by 24% (HV 26) compared with that of the water-quenched one. However, the aging hardening response speed and peak-aged hardness of the alloy increase with the increase of quenching rate. Meanwhile, the water-quenched alloy after peak aging also has the highest strength, elongation, and corrosion resistance, which is due to the high driving force and increased number density of aging precipitates, and the narrowed precipitate free zones.     

Microstructural characterisation and mechanical properties of Mg–xSn–5Al–1Zn alloys

Abstract

In this study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of as cast Mg–x Sn–5Al–1Zn alloys were investigated. The microstructures of the alloys were characterised by the presence of Mg₂Sn and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates. The greatest tensile strength and elongation were obtained at the alloy containing 5 wt-%Sn at room temperature. Microhardness of the alloys and volume fraction of the Mg₂Sn precipitates increased with increasing Sn content. Fractographic analysis demonstrated that dimple and cleavage facet were dominant mechanisms of these alloys tested at room and elevated temperature. The portion of cleavage facet was increased with the increment of Sn at the room and elevated temperatures.     

Dual phases strengthening behavior of Mg–10Gd–1Er–1Zn–0.6Zr alloy

The microstructure evolution and strengthening mechanisms of Mg–10Gd–1Er–1Zn–0.6Zr (wt.%) alloy were focused in the view of the size parameters and volume fraction (f_p) of dual phases (long period stacking ordered (LPSO) structures and β′ precipitates). Results show that two types of LPSO phases with different morphologies formed, and the morphology and size of both LPSO phases varied with the solution conditions. However, the volume fraction decreased monotonously with increasing solution temperature, which in turn raised the volume fraction of β′ phase during aging. The alloy exhibited an ultimate tensile strength of 352 MPa, a yield strength of 271 MPa, and an elongation of 3.5% after solution treatment at 500 °C for 12 h and aging at 200 °C for 114 h. In contrast to the LPSO phase, the β′ phase seems to play a more important role in enhancing the yield strength, and consequently, a decreased f_LPSO/f_β′ ratio results in an increased yield strength.     

Microstructure modification and precipitation strengthening for Mg–6Zn–1Mn–4Sn–0.5Ca through extrusion and aging treatment

The microstructure revolution and mechanical properties of as-extruded and peak-aged Mg–6Zn–1Mn– 4Sn–0.5Ca (ZMT614–0.5Ca) alloy were studied by OM, SEM, TEM, hardness testing and tensile testing. The results showed that the as-cast ZMT614–0.5Ca alloy mainly consisted of α-Mg, Mg–Zn and CaMgSn phase. The hot extrusion process effectively refined the microstructure and led to a completely dynamic recrystallized microstructure. The average grain size of as-extruded alloy was ˜4.85 μm. After solution treatment, remained CaMgSn with high melting point played a significant role in pinning effect and impeding the migration of grain boundary. After aging treatment, peak-aged ZMT614–0.5Ca alloy exhibited a good combination of strength and ductility, with yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation being 338 MPa, 383 MPa and 7.5%, respectively. The yield strength of the alloy increased significantly by around 36% compared with that in as-extruded condition, which should be attributed to the precipitation strengthening of β' phase.     

Effect of Y addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Mn alloy

The effects of Y on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–1Mn alloy were investigated. The results show that the addition of Y has significant effect on the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–1Mn alloy. Varied phases compositions, including Mg₇Zn₃, I-phase (Mg₃YZn₆), W-phase (Mg₃Y₂Zn₃) and X-phase (Mg₁₂YZn), are obtained by adjusting the Zn to Y mass ratio. Mn element exists as the fine Mn particles, which are well distributed in the alloy. Thermal analysis and microstructure observation reveal that the phase stability follows the trend of X>W>I>Mg₇Zn₃. In addition, Y can improve the mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Mn alloy significantly, and the alloy with Y content of 6.09% has the best mechanical properties. The high strength is mainly due to the strengthening by the grain size refinement, dispersion strengthening by fine Mn particles, and introduction of the Mg–Zn–Y ternary phases.     

Effects of fabrication methods on deformability and microstructure of Mg–Zn–Zr wrought alloy

The effects of fabrication processing methods on the workability of Mg–Zn–Zr wrought magnesium alloy (ZK60A) were investigated based on the microstructure and inherent internal defects. Three different billets, semi-continuously cast, semi-continuously cast and subsequently extruded, and die-cast, were fabricated and uniaxially compressed at elevated temperatures and two different strain rates to determine the deformation capabilities. The grain structure of the billets was investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The internal defects were inspected by an X-ray scanner. The enhanced deformability was observed in semi-continuously cast billet compared to the one fabricated by conventional die-casting, and the subsequent extrusion further improved the deformability.     

Microstructural,mechanical, and electrical characterization of directionally solidified Al–Cu–Mg eutectic alloy

The composition of an Al–Cu–Mg ternary eutectic alloy was chosen to be Al–30 wt% Cu–6 wt % Mg to have the Al₂Cu and Al₂CuMg solid phases within an aluminum matrix (α-Al) after its solidification from the melt. The alloy Al–30 wt % Cu–6 wt % Mg was directionally solidified at a constant temperature gradient (G = 8.55 K/mm) with different growth rates V, from 9.43 to 173.3 μm/s, by using a Bridgman-type furnace. The lamellar eutectic spacings (λ_E) were measured from transverse sections of the samples. The functional dependencies of lamellar spacings λ_E (\({\lambda _{A{l_2}CuMg}}\) and \({\lambda _{A{l_2}Cu}}\) in μm), microhardness H _V (in kg/mm²), tensile strength σ_T (in MPa), and electrical resistivity ρ (in Ω m) on the growth rate V (in μm/s) were obtained as \({\lambda _{A{l_2}CuMg}} = 3.05{V^{ - 0.31}}\), \({\lambda _{A{l_2}Cu}} = 6.35{V^{ - 0.35}}\), \({H_V} = 308.3{\left( V \right)^{ - 0.33}}\); σ_T= 408.6(V)^0.14, and ρ = 28.82 × 10^–8(V)^0.11, respectively for the Al–Cu–Mg eutectic alloy. The bulk growth rates were determined as \(\lambda _{A{l_2}CuMg}^2V = 93.2\) and \(\lambda _{A{l_2}Cu}^2V = 195.76\) by using the measured values of \({\lambda _{A{l_2}CuMg}}\), \({\lambda _{A{l_2}Cu}}\) and V. A comparison of present results was also made with the previous similar experimental results.     

Microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si alloy self-reacting friction stir welded joints

The 5?mm thick Al–Mg–Si alloy was self-reacting friction stir welded using the specially designed tool at a constant rotation speed of 400?rev?min^?1 with various welding speeds. Defect-free welds were successfully obtained with welding speeds ranging from 150 to 350?mm?min^?1, while pore defects were formed in the weld nugget zone (WNZ) at a welding speed of 450?mm?min^?1. Band patterns were observed at the advancing side of WNZ. Grain size and distribution of the precipitated phase in different regions of the joints varied depending on the welding speed. The hardness of the weld was obviously lower than that of the base metal, and the lowest hardness location was in the heat affected zone (HAZ). Results of transverse tensile tests indicated that the defective joint fractured in the WNZ with the lowest tensile strength, while the fracture location of the defect-free joints changed to the HAZ.