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.     

Enhanced Strength and Corrosion Resistance of Mg–2Zn–0.6Zr Alloy with Extrusion

The microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Mg–2 Zn–0.6 Zr alloy under the as-cast and asextruded conditions were investigated. Microstructure analysis indicated the remarkable grain refinement by extrusion, as well as notable reductions in volume fraction and size of precipitate phases. As compared with the as-cast alloy, the asextruded alloy exhibited better mechanical performance, especially in yield strength which was promoted from 51 to 194 MPa. Refined grains, dispersive precipitate phases and texture were thought to be the main factors affecting the improved performance in strength. The electrochemical measurement and immersion test revealed the corrosion rate of Mg–2 Zn–0.6 Zr alloy by extrusion decreased from 1.68 to 0.32 mm/year. The reasons for the enhanced corrosion resistance were mainly attributed to the decreased volume fraction and Volta potential of the precipitate phases, the refinement of the grain size, as well as the formation of more protective corrosion film.     

Obtaining Ultra-High Strength and Ductility in a Mg–Gd–Er–Zn–Zr Alloy via Extrusion,Pre-deformation and Two-Stage Aging

The Mg–12Gd–1Er–1Zn–0.9 Zr(wt%) alloy with ultra-high strength and ductility was developed via hot extrusion combined with pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment.The age-hardening behavior and microstructure evolution were investigated.Pre-deformation introduced a large number of dislocations,resulting in strain hardening and higher precipitation strengthening in the subsequent two-stage aging.As a result,the alloy showed a superior strength–ductility balance with a yield strength of 506 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 549 MPa and an elongation of 8.2% at room temperature.The finer and denser β' precipitates significantly enhanced the strength,and the bimodal structure,small β-Mg_5RE phase as well as dense γ' precipitates ensured the good ductility of the alloy.It is suggested that the combination of pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment is an eff ective method to further improve the mechanical properties of wrought Mg alloys.     

Precipitation behavior of 14H LPSO structure in single 18R phase Mg–Y–Zn alloy during annealing at 773 K

The microstructural evolution of a 18R single phase (S18) alloy during annealing at 773 K for 100 h was investigated in order to reveal the formation mechanism of 14H phase. The results showed that the as-cast S18 alloy was composed of 18R phase (its volume fraction exceeds 93%), W particles and α–Mg phase. The 18R phase in S18 alloy was thermally stable and was not transformed into 14H long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase during annealing. However, 14H lamellas formed within tiny α–Mg slices, and their average size and volume fraction increased with prolonging annealing time. Moreover, the 14H phase is nucleated within α–Mg independently on the basis of basal stacking faults (SFs). The broadening growth of 14H lamellas is an interface-controlled process which involves ledges on basal planes, while the lengthening growth is a diffusion-controlled process and is associated with diffusion of solute atoms. The formation mechanism of 14H phase in this alloy could be explained as α–Mg'→ α–Mg+14H.     

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.     

The High Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Mg–Gd–Y–Zr Alloy

The oxidation behavior of pure Mg and Mg–Gd-Y-Zr alloy was studied in O₂ at 300 °C with and without the presence of water vapor. The kinetics curves revealed improved oxidation resistance of Mg–Gd–Y–Zr alloy in O₂, compared with pure Mg. However, when water vapor co-existed with oxygen, the oxidation rate of Mg–Gd–Y–Zr alloy was accelerated; whereas, the oxidation rate of pure Mg was restrained. Detailed XPS analysis of pure Mg oxidized with water vapor revealed that the reduced oxidation rate could be strongly linked with the outer Mg(OH)₂ film. On the contrary, for Mg–Gd–Y–Zr alloy, an incomplete Mg(OH)₂ film was present in the outer region of oxide layer, which can provide a ready pathway for water vapor transport to the inner part of the oxide film and which has little oxidation resistance to water vapor.     

Effect of Solution Treatment on Microstructure and Corrosion Properties of Mg–4Gd–1Y–1Zn–0.5Ca–1Zr Alloy

The as-cast multi-element Mg–4Gd–1Y–1Zn–0.5Ca–1Zr alloy with low rare earth additions was prepared, and the solution treatment was applied at different temperatures. The microstructural evolution of the alloy was characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and corrosion properties of the alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution were evaluated by immersion and electrochemical tests. The results indicate that the as-cast alloy is composed of the a-Mg matrix,lamellar long-period stacking-ordered(LPSO) structure and eutectic phase. The LPSO structure exists with more volume fraction in the alloy solution-treated at 440 °C, but disappears with the increase in the solution temperature. For all the solution-treated alloys, the precipitated phases are detected. The corrosion rates of the alloys decrease first and then increase slightly with the increase in the solution temperature, and the corrosion resistance of the solution-treated alloys is more than four times as good as that of the as-cast alloy. In addition, the alloy solution-treated at 480 °C for 6 h shows the best corrosion property.     

Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure on LPSO Kinking and Microstructure Evolution of Mg–11Gd–4Y–2Zn–0.5Zr Alloy

Two different kinds of hot compressions, namely normal-compression and can-compression, were performed on the Mg–11 Gd–4 Y–2 Zn–0.5 Zr alloy, featured with long period stacking ordered(LPSO) phase. The kinking behavior of LPSO phase and microstructure evolution was investigated to clarify the effect of levels of imposed hydrostatic pressure. The results suggest that the LPSO phases including both the intragranular 14 H-LPSO phase and intergranular 18 R-LPSO phase suffer severe kinking behavior under higher hydrostatic pressure induced by can-compression, which is firstly characterized with more kinking times and smaller relative kinking width. The main reason for such enhanced LPSO kinking during cancompression may be mainly ascribed to the higher dislocation density under a higher level of hydrostatic pressure. Meanwhile, a competitive relationship between the kink behaviors of intergranular 18 R-LPSO phase and intragranular 14 H-LPSO phase was observed. That is, the intergranular 18 R-LPSO phase only kinks obviously on the condition that the surrounded intragranular 14 H-LPSO phase scarcely kinks. In contrast to the distinctive kinking of LPSO phase, the dynamic recrystallization(DRX) mechanism shows less dependence on the hydrostatic pressure. Resultantly, similar DRX fractions and crystallographic texture were attained for two compression processes owing to the similar operation of deformation mode.     

Effects of Passes on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Mg–Gd–Y–Zn–Zr Alloy During Multidirectional Forging

The multidirectional forging(MDF) process was conducted at temperature of 753 K to optimize the mechanical properties of as-homogenized Mg–13 Gd–4 Y–2 Zn–0.6 Zr alloy containing long-period stacking ordered phase. The effects of MDF passes on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties were also investigated. The results show that both the volume fraction of dynamic recrystallization(DRX) grains and mechanical properties of the deformed alloy enhanced with MDF passes increasing till seven passes. The average grain size decreased from 76 to 2.24 lm after seven passes, while the average grain size increased to 7.12 lm after nine passes. The microstructure after seven passes demonstrated randomly oriented fine DRX grains and larger basal(0001)\11"20[ Schmid factor of 0.31. The superior mechanical properties at room temperature(RT) with ultimate tensile strength(UTS) of 416 MPa and fracture elongation of 4.12% can be obtained after seven passes. The mechanical properties at RT after nine passes are inferior to those after seven passes due to the coarsening of DRX grains, which can be ascribed to the static recovery resulting from the repeated heating at the interval of MDF passes. The elevated temperature mechanical properties of the deformed alloy after seven passes and nine passes were investigated. When test temperature was below 523 K, the elevated temperature tensile yield strength and UTS after seven passes are superior to those after nine passes, while they are inferior to that after nine passes as temperature exceeds523 K.     

Enhanced Electromagnetic Interference Shielding of Mg–Zn–Zr Alloy by Ce Addition

The effects of Ce addition on microstructure and electromagnetic interference(EMI) shielding response of Mg–6Zn–0.5Zr(ZK60) alloy have been investigated.Ce addition resulted in grain refinement and higher density of Mg–Zn–Ce and Mg Zn2 intermetallic particles in the alloy.In particular,this was substantially remarkable as the addition of Ce was up to 1.0 wt%.It is interesting to note that as-extruded ZK60 alloy with 1.0 wt% Ce addition exhibited an EMI shielding effectiveness(SE) exceeding 70 d B at the frequency range of 30–1,500 MHz,which was significantly higher than that of ZK60 alloy without Ce addition and reached the requirement of high protection.The superior SE was probably related to the increased reflection and multiple reflection of electromagnetic radiation induced by Ce addition.Direct artificial aging at 150 °C for 25 or 50 h led to a further increase of 7–10 d B in the SE of the alloy with 1.0 wt% Ce addition.The advantages of excellent shielding capacity and favorable mechanical strength make the Mg–Zn–Zr–Ce alloy an attractive shielding candidate material for a variety of technological applications.     

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.     

The fatigue behavior of I-phase containing as-cast Mg–Zn–Y–Zr alloy

The fatigue behavior of as-cast Mg–12%Zn–1.2%Y–0.4%Zr alloy has been investigated. The S–N curve showed that the fatigue strength at 10⁷ cycles was 45 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy observations on the surfaces of the failed and unfailed specimens (after up to 1 × 10⁷ cycles) suggested that the slip bands could act as preferential sites for non-propagating fatigue crack initiation, and the I-phase could effectively retard fatigue crack propagation (FCP). The macro fracture morphology clearly indicated that the overall fracture surface was composed of three regions, i.e. a fatigue crack initiation region (Region 1), a steady crack propagation region (Region 2) and a tearing region (Region 3). High-magnification fractographs showed that only porosities can act as the crack initiation sites for all specimens. Moreover, for specimens with fatigue lifetimes lower than 2 × 10⁵ cycles, the cracks mostly initiated at the subsurface or surface of the specimen. However, when the fatigue lifetime was equal to or higher than 2 × 10⁵ cycles, the fatigue crack initiation sites transferred to the interior of the specimen. The maximum stress intensity factors corresponding to the transition sites between Regions 1, 2 and 3 were 2 and 4.2 MPa m^1/2, respectively. When the maximum stress intensity factor K_max was lower than 4.2 MPa m^1/2, in the steady crack propagation region, due to the retarding effect of I-phase/α-Mg matrix interfaces, the fatigue cracks tended to pass the I-phase/α-Mg matrix eutectic pockets directly and propagated through the grain cells, resulting in the formation of many flat facets on the fracture surface. However, when the maximum stress intensity factor was higher than 4.2 MPa m^1/2, in the sudden failure region, the rigid bonding of I-phase/α-Mg matrix interfaces was destroyed and the cracks preferentially propagated along the interfaces, which resulted in the fracture surface being almost completely composed of cracked I-phase/α-Mg matrix eutectic pockets. Based on microstructural observation and the fracture characteristics of the two regions, it is suggested that with an increase in crack tip driving force, the FCP mode changes from transgranular propagation to intergranular propagation.     

Microstructure and phase composition of as-cast Mg–9Er–6Y–xZn–0.6Zr alloys

The microstructure and phase composition of as-cast Mg–9Er–6Y–xZn–0.6Zr (x=1, 2, 3, 4; normal mass fraction in %) alloys were investigated. In low Zn content, aside from the major second phase of Mg₂₄(Er, Y, Zn)₅, there are a few lamellar phases that grow parallel with each other from the grain boundaries to the grain interior. With Zn content increasing, the Mg₂₄(Er,Y,Zn)₅ phase decreases, but the Mg₁₂Zn(Y, Er) phase and lamellar phases continuously increase. When Zn content reaches 4% (normal mass fraction), the Mg₁₂Zn(Y,Er) phase mainly exists as large bulks, and some α-Mg grains are thoroughly penetrated by the lamellar phases. Moreover, the crystallography structures of the Mg₁₂Zn(Y,Er) and Mg₂₄(Er,Y,Zn)₅ phases are confirmed as 18R-type long-period stacking ordered structure and body-centred cubic structure, respectively.     

Evolution of precipitates in Mg−7Gd−3Y−1Nd−1Zn−0.5Zr alloy with fine plate-like 14H-LPSO structures aged at 240 °C

The morphology and crystal structure of the precipitates in Mg−7Gd−3Y−1Nd−1Zn−0.5Zr (wt.%) alloy with fine plate-like 14H-LPSO structures aged at 240 °C were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). Fine plate-like 14H-LPSO structures precipitate after heat treatment at 500 °C for 2 h, and β-type phases precipitate after the alloy is aged at 240 °C. The long-period atomic stacking sequence of 14H-LPSO structures along the [0001]_α direction is ABABCACACACBABA. After being aged at 240 °C for 2 h, the β-type phases are the ordered solution clusters, zig-zag GP zones, and a small number of β′ phases. The peak hardness is obtained at 240 °C for 18 h with a Brinell hardness of 112, the β-type phases are β’ phases and local RE-rich structures. After being aged at 240 °C for 100 h, the β-type phases are β’, β₁ and β’_F phases. β′ phases nucleate from the zig-zag GP zones directly without β″ phases, and then transform into β₁ phase by β’→β’_F→β₁ transformations. The Zn not only can form LPSO structure, but also is the constituent element of β₁ phases. LPSO structures have a certain hindrance to the coarsening of β’ and β₁ along 〈0001〉_α.     

Microstructure evolution during heat treatment of Mg–Gd–Y–Zn–Zr alloy and its low-cycle fatigue behavior at 573 K

In as-cast Mg–2.1Gd–1.1Y–0.82Zn–0.11Zr (mole fraction, %) alloy, lamellar microstructures that extend from grain boundaries to the interior of α-Mg grains are identified as clusters of γ′ using a scanning transmission electron microscope equipped with a high-angle annular dark-field detector. Under a total strain-controlled low-cyclic loading at 573 K, the mechanical response and failure mechanism of Mg–2.1Gd–1.1Y–0.82Zn–0.11Zr alloy (T6 peak-aging heat treatment) were investigated. Results show that the alloy exhibits cyclic softening response at diverse total strain amplitudes and 573 K. The experimental observations using scanning electron microscopy show that the micro-cracks initiate preferentially at the interface between long-period stacking order structures and α-Mg matrix and extend along the basal plane of α-Mg. The massive long-period stacking order structures distributed at grain boundaries impede the transgranular propagation of cracks.     

Effect of Different Scale Precipitates on Corrosion Behavior of Mg–10Gd–3Y–0.4Zr Alloy

A large amount of directional and willow-like β' phase was precipitated in Mg-10 Gd-3 Y-0.4 Zr(GW103 K) alloy after solution treatment and subsequently aged treatment(T6). In order to explore the effect of the precipitates on the corrosion behavior of the GW103 K alloy, the alloy was subjected to solution treatment(T4) at 773 K for 4 h at first, subsequently aged at 498 K for 193 h(T6). The microstructure evolution of the GW103 K alloy after this treatment was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The high-angle annular detector dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the typical corrosion morphologies of the nanoscale precipitation phases(β') in the T6-treated alloy. The corrosion rate was measured by potentiodynamic polarization test. Combining with the potential measurement results by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy, the effects of the skeleton-like Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_5 andf precipitates on the corrosion behavior of GW103 K alloy were explored. The results showed that the corrosion rate of the GW103 K alloy in different conditions was ranked as: as-cast alloy T4-treated alloy T6-treated alloy,attributing to the fact that the relative potential differences of skeleton-like Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_5 were lower than those of the matrix, therefore Mg24(Gd, Y)5 phase formed micro-galvanic coupling with the matrix and corrosion dissolution occurred.The nanoscale β' precipitates in T6-treated alloy can retard the cathodic process.     

Hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of a Mg–Gd–Nd–Y–Zn alloy

The hot deformation behavior of homogenized Mg–6.5Gd–1.3Nd–0.7Y–0.3Zn alloy was investigated during compression at temperatures of 250–400 ℃ and at strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 0.100 s~(-1). Microstructure analyses show that the flow behaviors are associated with the deformation mechanisms. At the lower temperatures(250–300 ℃), deformation twinning is triggered due to the difficult activation of dislocation cross-slip. Dynamic recrystallization(DRX) accompanied by dynamic precipitation occurs at the temperature of 350 ℃ and influences the softening behavior of the flow.DRX that develops extensively at original grain boundaries is the main softening mechanism at the high temperature of 400 ℃ and eventually brings a more homogeneous microstructure than that in other deformation conditions. The volume fraction of the DRXed grains increases with temperature increasing and decreases with strain rate increasing.     

Microstructure,mechanical and biodegradable properties of a Mg–2Zn–1Gd–0.5Zr alloy with different solution treatments

Solution treatment is a useful way to improve the degradation resistance of Mg alloys.In this work,effects of solution treatment temperature on mechanical and biodegradable properties of an extruded Mg–2Zn–1Gd–0.5Zr alloy were studied.Microstructure analysis,tensile test, three-point bending test, immersion test and electrochemical test were performed.The results showed that increasing solution temperature decreases the mechanical properties of the alloy.However, three-point bending test revealed that the solution-treated alloy at 510 ℃ could maintain 95% of its maximum bending force(F_(max)) during the 28-day immersion period.After treatment at 510 ℃ for 5 h, all the second phases were dissolved into the alloy, the galvanic corrosion was inhibited, and the alloy exhibited good corrosion resistance with a corrosion rate of 0.35 mm·year~(-1) in Hank's solution.     

Modeling the Dynamic Recrystallization of Mg–11Gd–4Y–2Zn–0.4Zr Alloy Considering Non-uniform Deformation and LPSO Kinking During Hot Compression

Hot compression tests of Mg–11 Gd–4 Y–2 Zn–0.4 Zr alloy(GWZK114) were conducted at a deformation temperature range of 300–500 °C and a strain rate range of 0.01–10.0 s-1. Based on systematic microstructure observation, it is confirmed that long period stacking ordered(LPSO) phase displays essential and evolving roles on the dynamic recrystallization(DRX)behavior. The results indicate that the plastic deformation is mainly coordinated by simultaneous exist of LPSO kinking of lamella 14 H-LPSO phase and DRX at 350–450 °C, and DRX at 500 °C. Further, it is found that the LPSO kinking induced during 350–450 °C can delay the DRX. A phenomenological DRX model of GWZK114 alloy is established to be XDRX = 1. exp[-0.5((ε-ε_c)/ε~*)~(0.91)]. Non-uniform distribution of plastic strain during compression was considered via finite element method and it ensures a good prediction of DRX fraction under a large plastic strain. Meanwhile, an enhanced DRX model, taking its formulation as XDRX = {1. exp[-0.5((ε-ε_c)/ε~*)~(0.91)]}( T/(226.8)-1)n, n = 3.82ε~(0.083), is proposed for the first time to capture the hindering effect of 14 H-LPSO kinking on DRX behavior. The predicted results of this enhanced DRX model agree well with the experimental cases, where 14 H-LPSO kinking is dominated or partially involved(300–450 °C). Besides,a size model of DRX grains is also established and can depict the evolution of DRX grain size for all the investigated compression conditions with accounting for temperature rising at high strain rates(5 s-1 and 10 s-1).     

Corrosion fatigue behavior of epoxy-coated Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy in NaCl solution

The corrosion fatigue behavior of epoxy-coated Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy was investigated in air and 3.5 wt%NaCl solution. Epoxy coating as a new method was used to improve the corrosion fatigue property of the material.Results show that the fatigue limit(FL) of the coated specimens is higher than that of the uncoated specimens in3.5 wt% NaCl solution because of the strengthening and blocking functions of the epoxy coating. The FL of the coated specimens in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution is as high as that in air. It implies that the coated specimens are not as sensitive to the environment as the magnesium alloy. The low tensile strength and the short elongation of the pure epoxy coating lead to that the fatigue crack of the coated specimen is always initiated from the epoxy-coating film Pores and pinholes accelerate the fatigue crack initiation process. Pinholes are caused by the corrosion reactions between the epoxy coating and the NaCl solution.