Cyclic shear deformation and fatigue of extruded Mg-Gd-Y magnesium alloy

Deformation and fatigue of extruded Mg-8.0 Gd-3.0 Y-0.5 Zr(GW83, wt%) magnesium(Mg) alloy were experimentally investigated under cyclic torsion using tubular specimen fabricated along the extrusion direction. The controlled shear strain amplitudes ranged from 0.606% to 4.157%. Twinning and detwinning of extension twins are observed to take place during cyclic torsion and the shear stress-shear strain hysteresis loops display a perfectly symmetric shape at all tested strain amplitudes. Marginal cyclic softening is observed when the shear strain amplitude is higher than 1.732%. The strain-life fatigue curve shows two kink points, corresponding to the shear strain amplitude of 1.040% and 1.732%, respectively.When the shear strain amplitude is higher than the upper kink point, early fatigue crack is found to initiate on the maximum shear plane. When the strain amplitude is lower than the lower kink point,fatigue cracking is parallel to the maximum tensile plane. At an identical equivalent strain amplitude,the fatigue life under pure shear is much higher than that under tension-compression. The fatigue life of extruded GW83 alloy is much higher than that of extruded AZ31 B alloy at the same plastic strain energy density.     

Anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of extruded and rolled magnesium alloys

Fatigue tests were conducted using both extruded and rolled magnesium alloys AZ31 to study anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of the alloys. For the above purpose, two types of specimens whose longitudinal axes are parallel (E specimen) and perpendicular (T specimen) to the extrusion direction were prepared for the extruded Mg alloy. For the rolled Mg alloy, three types of specimens, whose longitudinal axes are parallel (R specimen) and perpendicular (T and S specimens) to the rolling direction, were prepared. S–N curves and crack propagation characteristics for both the extruded and rolled specimens with different longitudinal directions were studied to investigate the effects of the texture, microstructures and residual stresses on the fatigue behavior of the magnesium alloy AZ31. Anisotropy of the fatigue behavior was observed for both the extruded and the rolled magnesium alloys. In the extruded Mg alloy, differences in both fatigue lives and fatigue limit exist between E and T specimens. The fatigue resistance for the former is superior to that of the latter. In the rolled Mg alloy, lesser differences were found between R and T specimens. However, fatigue lives of the S specimens were clearly shorter than those of the former at the high stress amplitudes above the fatigue limit. In the extruded Mg alloy, the rod-like microstructure observed is an important factor contributing to the anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of the alloy. While in the rolled Mg alloy, the texture induced during processing is considered to play a dominant role in the anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of the alloy.     

Grain size and texture effect on compression behavior of hot-extruded Mg–3Al–1Zn alloys at room temperature

Hot-extruded AZ31 alloy was subjected to compression at room temperature. The influence of grain size and grain orientation on the compression behavior of the specimens was examined by optical microscopy, compression test and X-ray diffraction. Abundant twins activated during compression of extruded AZ31 magnesium alloy. The hot extruded AZ31 magnesium alloys had a higher Hall–Petch slope for compression than that for tension.     

Effects of extrusion ratio on the ratcheting behavior of extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy under asymmetrical uniaxial cyclic loading

Magnesium alloys are increasingly used in the automotive and aerospace industries for weight reduction and fuel savings. The ratcheting behavior of these alloys is therefore an important consideration. The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of extrusion ratio on the ratcheting behavior of extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy. The experiments have shown that the extruded AZ31B Mg alloy presented the following characteristic behavior with increasing number of loading cycles: first an apparent cyclic softening was observed, then a cyclic hardening occurred, and finally a stable state was reached. This generic behavior can be explained by the fact that the variation trend of the maximum strain with the number of cycles differs from that of the minimum strain. The extrusion ratio did not influence the cyclic softening/hardening behavior or the final ratcheting strain variation trend of the extruded AZ31B Mg alloy with the mean stress and the peak stress. However, the extrusion ratio influenced the final ratcheting strain variation trend of the extruded AZ31B Mg alloy with the stress amplitude. Increasing the extrusion ratio also reduced the ratcheting strain and the effects of the load history on the ratcheting behavior of the extruded AZ31B Mg alloy.     

AZ31镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接头断裂机制

对AZ31镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接头进行力学性能实验.拉伸、疲劳实验结果显示,AZ31镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接头抗拉强度可以达到母材强度的92.9%,断裂位置在前进面的机械热影响区,认为是前进面机械热影响区不均匀的层状组织和应力集中作用的结果.扫描电镜显示:断口有明显的撕裂纹和纤维状组织.     

Influence of nano-sized carbon nanotube reinforcements on tensile deformation,cyclic fatigue,and final fracture behavior of a magnesium alloy

Magnesium alloy (AZ31) based metal matrix composite reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was fabricated using the technique of disintegrated melt deposition followed by hot extrusion. In this research paper, the microstructure, hardness, tensile properties, tensile fracture, high cycle fatigue characteristics, and final fracture behavior of CNTs-reinforced magnesium alloy composite (denoted as AZ31/1.0 vol.% CNT or AZ31/CNT) is presented, discussed, and compared with the unreinforced counterpart (AZ31). The elastic modulus, yield strength, tensile strength of the reinforced magnesium alloy was noticeably higher compared to the unreinforced counterpart. The ductility, quantified both by elongation-to-failure and reduction in cross-section area of the composite was higher than the monolithic counterpart. A comparison of the CNT-reinforced magnesium alloy with the unreinforced counterpart revealed a noticeable improvement in cyclic fatigue life at the load ratios tested. At all values of maximum stress, both the reinforced and unreinforced magnesium alloy was found to degrade the cyclic fatigue life at a lower ratio, i.e., under conditions of fully reversed loading. The viable mechanisms responsible for the enhanced cyclic fatigue life and tensile behavior of the composite are rationalized in light of macroscopic fracture mode and intrinsic microscopic mechanisms governing fracture.     

AZ31B镁合金挤压板材力学性能的各向异性

在AZ31B镁合金板材的板面内沿不同方向进行单向拉伸和压缩试验,研究挤压板材的力学性能。结果表明,变形AZ31B镁合金板材具有显著的各向异性和拉压非对称性。在板面内,沿挤压方向拉伸时的屈服应力明显地比沿同方向压缩和沿其他方向拉伸或压缩时的高(约2倍);沿45°斜向拉伸的屈服应力和抗拉强度较低,而延伸率最高;这种非对称性主要表现为屈服非对称和塑性流动非对称,即拉压的屈服应力不相等和拉压应力-应变曲线形状不同,压缩曲线表现出特殊的"S"型。基于晶体塑性理论,讨论了引起变形镁合金的各向异性和拉压非对称性力学性能的变形机理。     

挤压对AZ91铸造镁合金力学性能的影响

对挤压变形前后的AZ91镁合金进行了微观组织和力学性能研究.结果表明:挤压成形后合金的抗拉强度和塑性均得到提高;孪晶的产生,导致挤压合金室温压缩的应力-应变曲线上有屈服平台出现;晶粒尺寸强烈影响合金的强度.室温时,挤压合金的流变强度较铸态的高,而高温压缩的强度则较铸态的低.     

Fracture mechanism of AZ31 magnesium alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing comparing three point bending test and tensile test

A commercial magnesium alloy, AZ31 in hot-rolled condition, has been processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) to get microstructure modified. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted along the rolling/extrusion direction for as-received AZ31 alloy and ECAPed AZ31 alloy. Then, three point bending fracture tests were conducted for specimens with a pre-crack perpendicular to the extruded direction. Digital image correlation (DIC) technique was adopted to determine the deformation field around the crack tip. The fracture surfaces of the failed specimens after tensile tests and fracture tests were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). To explore the deformation mechanism, the microstructure and texture of different regions on the deformed specimens were examined through electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results show ECAP process improves both the tensile elongation and fracture toughness of AZ31 alloy. Different from the slip dominated deformation mechanism in the tensile test, deformation twinning presents in the deformation zone adjacent to the crack tip in the three point bending fracture tests. The fracture surface is characterized by co-occurrence of dimple and cleavage features.     

表面改性后AZ31B镁合金在不同模拟体液中的降解性能研究

采用化学沉积法在AZ31B镁合金表面制备了钙磷陶瓷涂层,通过浸泡试验和电化学试验研究了其在3种不同模拟体液(生理盐水、PBS、Hank′s)中的降解性能。结果表明,沉积处理改变了AZ31B镁合金在模拟体液中的降解性能,明显抑制了其降解速度;浸泡后溶液的pH值变化结果和电化学实验结果均表明,在3种不同模拟体液中,表面处理后AZ31B镁合金显示出不同的降解速度,顺序依次为:生理盐水>PBS溶液>Hank′s溶液。     

Corrosion fatigue behavior of extruded magnesium alloy AZ31 in sodium chloride solution

In the present study, corrosion fatigue experiments were done using the extruded magnesium alloy AZ31 in the 3% sodium chloride solution to clarify the corrosion fatigue characteristics of the material. Corrosion fatigue lives greatly decreased as compared with those in laboratory air. It was also clarified that most of the corrosion fatigue life (70–80%) at the lower stress amplitude is occupied with the period of the corrosion pit growth. Corrosion fatigue lives were evaluated quantitatively by dividing the corrosion fatigue process into the following two periods, i.e. (1) the corrosion pit growth period preceding the crack initiation from the pit and (2) the crack growth period before the specimen failure. In the analysis, the law of the corrosion pit growth proposed by authors was used to deal with the above first period. The evaluated results corresponded well to the experimental results.     

The effect of load ratio on fatigue life and crack propagation behavior of an extruded magnesium alloy

Fatigue experiments were carried out in laboratory air using an extruded magnesium alloy, AZ31, to investigate the effect of load ratio on the fatigue life and crack propagation behavior. The crack propagation behavior was analyzed using a modified linear elastic fracture mechanics parameter, M. The relation crack propagation rate vs. M parameter was found to be useful in predicting fatigue lives at different R ratios. Good agreement between the estimated and the experimental results at each stress ratio was obtained.     

Growth and corrosion of aluminum PVD-coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy

Magnetron sputtering was applied to prepare aluminum coating on a mechanically polished AZ31 magnesium alloy. A loose oxide film was spontaneously formed on the surface of AZ31 magnesium alloy during polishing process. The aluminum coating, which was subsequently deposited on this oxide layer, presented a developed columnar microstructure. Attributed to the barrier effect of Al coating, the Al coated AZ31 showed a higher corrosion resistance than bare AZ31 in corrosion tests. Generally, Al coating is cathodically protected by magnesium alloy substrate. But it is interesting in this study that Al coating still suffered from severe corrosion due to the occurrence of the alkalization effect.     

镁合金笔记本电脑外壳的温成形技术研究

采用0.6mm厚的AZ31镁合金材料,以温成形方式获得了复杂外形尺寸的笔记本电脑外壳.通过研究温度对AZ31镁合金板料拉深成形性能的影响发现:180～280℃成形的镁合金电脑外壳零件不会出现断裂和起皱缺陷,但角部高度随成形温度的升高而增加;低于180℃成形,零件圆角出现褶皱;高于280℃成形,圆角被拉裂;并且成形速度和摩擦也会影响零件成形.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of ultrafine-grained Ti/AZ31 magnesium matrix composite prepared by powder metallurgy

The microstructure of ultrafine grain for magnesium alloys can result in drastic enhancement in their room temperature strength, but the issue of low strength at elevated temperature becomes more serious as well due to grain boundary slide. Here ultrafine-grained Ti/AZ31 magnesium matrix composites with high strength at both room and elevated temperature were prepared by vacuum hot pressing and subsequent hot extrusion. The microstructure of the composite samples before and after consolidation processing was characterized, and the mechanical properties of the as-consolidated bulk samples were measured at room and elevated temperatures. The results indicate that after extrusion ultrafine-grained magnesium alloys were obtained and Ti particulates with particulate size of ～310?nm disperse in Mg matrix. The magnesium grain of AZ31-15at.%Ti grows from 66?nm to 800?nm. Meanwhile, the relative densities of Ti/AZ31 composites are higher than 99%. The yield strength (YS) of extruded AZ31-15at.%Ti composite at room temperature is 341?MPa, being 2.4 times higher than original AZ31 alloy. Theoretical estimation shows that remarkably enhanced room-temperature mechanical strength attributes to grain boundary strengthening with the contribution ratio of 74%. In addition, the peak stress of extruded AZ31-15at.%Ti composite at 573?K is 82?MPa and ultrafine Ti dispersions are responsible for the enhanced strength.     

AZ31B镁合金挤压矩形管的轴向压溃试验与吸能特性分析

对AZ31B镁合金挤压矩形截面管进行准静态轴向压溃试验,研究其破坏模式和吸能特性,并探索管件长度、截面尺寸、倒角诱导因素等对吸能特性的影响。结果发现镁合金矩形管轴向压溃时存在两种破坏模式：整体破坏模式和渐进破坏模式,无倒角时管件发生整体破坏,而管端有倒角时主要从倒角端开始发生渐进破坏。渐进破坏模式有利于管件吸收能量。镁合金管件具有良好的吸能特性,其比吸能优于钢管、铝合金管和复合材料管。     

Fatigue life estimation of ultrasonic spot welded Mg alloy joints

Lightweight magnesium alloys are increasingly used in automotive and other transportation industries for weight reduction and fuel efficiency improvement. The structural application of magnesium components requires proper welding and fatigue resistance to guarantee their durability and safety. The objective of this investigation was to identify failure mode and estimate fatigue life of ultrasonic spot welded (USWed) lap joints of an AZ31B-H24 magnesium alloy. It was observed that the solid-state USWed joints exhibited a superior fatigue life compared with other welding processes. Fatigue failure mode changed from interfacial failure to transverse-through-thickness crack growth with decreasing cyclic load level, depending on the welding energy. Fatigue crack initiation and propagation occurred from both the notch tip inside the faying surface and the edge of sonotrode indentation-footprints due to the presence of stress concentration. A life prediction model for the spot welded lap joints developed by Newman and Dowling was adopted to estimate the fatigue lives of the USWed magnesium alloy joints. The fatigue life estimation, based on the fatigue crack growth model with the global and local stress intensity factors as a function of kink length and the experimentally determined kink angle, agreed fairly well with the obtained experimental results.     

Effect of 1.5 wt% tin addition on the properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy

In this paper, 1.5 wt%Sn was added to the AZ31 magnesium alloy aiming at improving the mechanical properties by using a low cost alloying element. Both alloys were prepared in the cast/heat treated (HT), rolled at 350 °C, rolled/heat treated at 400 °C and extruded at 350 °C. The results indicate that with addition of tin an improvement was obtained in both tensile strength and ductility of the AZ31 alloy in the cast/heat treated and in the extruded conditions. The yield and ultimate tensile strengths reached 98 MPa and 224 MPa respectively with 14 % elongation in the cast/heat treated condition while in the extruded condition these values were 212 MPa and 286 MPa with 20 % elongation. The tensile strength was even higher after rolling reaching 315 MPa for AZ31 with tin addition; however, as the material temperature during the last passes has decreased to relatively low values, the % elongation decreased to 1 %. After heat treatment at 400 °C for 2 hours the % elongation was restored and reached 12 %; this was accompanied by a decrease in tensile strength which reached 276 MPa. The results are discussed in relation to the microstructure evolution including grain size, phase identification, and volume fraction of phases.     

镁合金体积成形进展

简要介绍了国内外学者、科技人员进行的ZK30,ZK60,AZ31,AZ31B,AZ61,AZ80,MB15等镁合金材料锻造、挤压方面的基础研究进展和一些简单的产品开发,阐明了镁合金从基本研究到镁合金产品产业化和商业化的发展方向.     

AZ31镁合金非等温拉深性能的研究

针对AZ31镁合金等温拉深性能差的问题,提出了AZ31镁合金的非等温拉深工艺.通过平底杯形冲头拉深试验研究了不同冲头温度和板料温度对AZ31镁合金非等温拉深性能的影响,确定了使AZ31镁合金具有最佳拉深性能的板料和冲头温度范围.实验结果表明,除了板料和冲头温度之外,拉深速度和润滑条件对AZ31镁合金的非等温拉深性能也有重要影响.