Microstructure and mechanical properties of spray-formed AZ91 magnesium alloy

The AZ91 magnesium alloy, preformed with complete shape, has been prepared using spray forming technology under a protective atmosphere. The microstructure and mechanical properties have been investigated. Initially, a homogeneous and equiaxed-grain structure with average grain size of 20 μm was obtained. The tendency for segregation of the divorced eutectic β(Mg₁₇Al₁₂) phase towards the grain boundary was greatly reduced. Further grain refinement was attributed to dynamic recrystallization during extrusion processing. When solution treated at 415 °C and aged at 175 °C, two kinds of β(Mg₁₇Al₁₂) precipitates are formed: the majority are lamellar discontinuous precipitates, in addition to a small amount of dispersed continuous precipitates. The average tensile ultimate and yield strength of the spray-formed and extruded AZ91 magnesium alloy samples were 435 MPa and 360 MPa with a room temperature elongation of 9.2%, indicating an enhanced combination of toughness and strength.     

Structural characteristics and elevated temperature mechanical properties of AJ62 Mg alloy

Structure and mechanical properties of the novel casting AJ62 (Mg–6Al–2Sr) alloy developed for elevated temperature applications were studied. The AJ62 alloy was compared to commercial casting AZ91 (Mg–9Al–1Zn) and WE43 (Mg–4Y–3RE) alloys. The structure was examined by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometry. Mechanical properties were characterized by Viskers hardness measurements in the as-cast state and after a long-term heat treatment at 250 °C/150 hours. Compressive mechanical tests were also carried out both at room and elevated temperatures. Compressive creep tests were conducted at a temperature of 250 °C and compressive stresses of 60, 100 and 140 MPa. The structure of the AJ62 alloy consisted of primary α-Mg dendrites and interdendritic nework of the Al₄Sr and massive Al₃Mg₁₃Sr phases. By increasing the cooling rate during solidification from 10 and 120 K/s the average dendrite arm thickness decreased from 18 to 5 μm and the total volume fraction of the interdendritic phases from 20% to 30%. Both factors slightly increased hardness and compressive strength. The room temperature compressive strength and hardness of the alloy solidified at 30 K/s were 298 MPa and 50 HV 5, i.e. similar to those of the as-cast WE43 alloy and lower than those of the AZ91 alloy. At 250 °C the compressive strength of the AJ62 alloy decreased by 50 MPa, whereas those of the AZ91 and WE43 alloys by 100 and 20 MPa, respectively. The creep rate of the AJ62 alloy was higher than that of the WE43 alloy, but significantly lower in comparison with the AZ91 alloy. Different thermal stabilities of the alloys were discussed and related to structural changes during elevated temperature expositions.     

Microstructure evolution of thixomolding AZ91D magnesium alloy during heat treatment

The microstructure evolution of thixomolding AZ91D magnesium alloy during heat treatment was investigated by means of SEM, XRD, and Vickers hardness measurement. The thixomolding AZ91D alloy has faster β phase dissolution kinetics in comparison with the HPDC alloy at 415 °C solution treatment. Both the discontinuous precipitation and the continuous precipitation were observed during aging treatment. The thixomolding specimen exhibited an accelerated age-hardening kinetics in comparison with the HPDC specimen.     

Fabrication of SiC particles-reinforced magnesium matrix composite by ultrasonic vibration

Magnesium matrix composites reinforced with two volume fractions (1 and 3%) of SiC particles (1 μm) were successfully fabricated by ultrasonic vibration. Compared with as-cast AZ91 alloy, with the addition of the SiC particles grain size of matrix decreased, while most of the phase Mg₁₇Al₁₂ varied from coarse plates to lamellar precipitates in the SiCp/AZ91 composites. With increasing volume fraction of the SiC particles, grains of matrix in the SiCp/AZ91 composites were gradually refined. The SiC particles were located mainly at grain boundaries in both 1 vol% SiCp/AZ91 composite and 3 vol% SiCp/AZ91 composite. SiC particles inside the particle clusters may be still separated by magnesium. The study of the interface between the SiC particle and the alloy matrix suggested that SiC particles bonded well with the alloy matrix without interfacial reaction. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation to fracture of the SiCp/AZ91 composites were simultaneously improved compared with that of the as-cast AZ91 alloy.     

Grain refinement and mechanical properties enhancement of AZ91E alloy by addition of ceramic particles

Improved mechanical properties and structural uniformity of Mg-based alloys can be achieved by use of grain-refining additives prior to casting. Ceramic particles of α-Al₂O₃ and SiC can serve as such additives to refine the microstructure of Mg–Al-based alloys. However, direct introduction of ceramic particles into Mg matrix is limited by the poor wetting of those particles by liquid Mg and their massive agglomeration. Mg/α-Al₂O₃ and Mg/SiC master alloys were prepared using a method based on the insertion of the ceramic particles into a molten Mg bath through a Mg-nitride layer formed on the surface of the molten bath. The mixture of Mg/ceramic particles was cooled to room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. Mg-15%Al₂O₃ and AZ91E + 10%SiC master alloys were obtained. These master alloys were used to refine AZ91E alloys by introducing various amounts of ceramic particles to manufacture AZ91E + 1%Al₂O₃, AZ91E + 1%SiC, and AZ91E + 3%SiC alloys. These were cast using high-pressure die casting and gravity die casting. The alloy AZ91E + 1%Al₂O₃ was grain refined to ~20 μm and the alloys AZ91E + SiC were grain refined to ~50 μm as against 110 μm in non-refined counterparts. The mechanical properties of the modified alloys are substantially better than those of a non-refined AZ91E alloy which is the result of a combination of grain refinement and reinforcement of the matrix by ceramic particles. Alloy AZ91E + 1%Al₂O₃ exhibited the best mechanical properties.     

In situ observation of ageing process and new morphologies of continuous precipitates in AZ91 magnesium alloy

An in situ observation of the precipitating process of γ-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase in die-cast AZ91 magnesium alloy, was carried out with a transmission electron microscope equipped with a heating stage maintained at 473 K for 8 h. In addition to the thin plate-shaped continuous precipitates, continuous precipitates with rod-shaped and the Potter orientation relationship were observed and analyzed with transmission electron microscopy including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. It was also observed firstly that there exist plate-shaped continuous precipitates with the Pitsch-Schrader orientation relationship in the die-cast AZ91 magnesium alloy.     

Improvement in rollability of AZ91 magnesium alloy by carbon addition

The present study aims to investigate the effect of carbon addition on the hot rolling behavior of as-cast AZ91 alloy. The AZ91 and C-added AZ91 alloys were subjected to hot rolling at 400 °C with a reduction of 30% per one pass. The as-cast C-added AZ91 alloy with very fine equi-axed grains of approximately 75 μm exhibited excellent hot rollability compared to as-cast AZ91 alloy with coarse dendrite structure, although the final grain size of the rolled C-added AZ91 alloy sheet was slightly larger than that of the rolled AZ91 alloy sheet. The side-crack occurrence on the surface during hot-rolling is mainly affected by the existence of twin boundary and the area fraction of grain boundaries. Based on the results, the improvement in rollability of the C-added AZ91 alloy is attributed to fine equi-axed grains and the polygonal Al₈Mn₅ phase located inside grains, which can homogeneously distribute and effectively absorb strain energy and prohibit crack growth.     

Microstructure and strengthening mechanism of bimodal size particle reinforced magnesium matrix composite

One kind of (submicron + micron) bimodal size SiCp/AZ91 composite was fabricated by the stir casting technology. After hot deformation process, the influence of bimodal size particles on microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ91 matrix was investigated by comparing with monolithic A91 alloy, submicron SiCp/AZ91 and micron SiCp/AZ91 composites. The results show that micron particles can stimulate dynamic recrystallized nucleation, while submicron particles may pin grain boundaries during the hot deformation process, which results in a significant grain refinement of AZ91 matrix. Compared to submicron particles, micron particles are more conducive to grain refinement through stimulating the dynamic recrystallized nucleation. Besides, the yield strength of bimodal size SiCp/AZ91 composite is higher than that of single-size particle reinforced composites. Among the strengthening mechanisms of bimodal size particle reinforced composite, it is found that grain refinement and dislocation strengthening mechanism play a larger role on improving the yield strength.     

Superplastic forming ability of as‐cast AZ91 Mg alloy prepared by twin roll casting

In this study, the twin roll casting process has been utilized to prepare initial as‐cast strip of AZ91 alloy that has been further tested in uniaxial tension at 325, 350 and 375 ºC, and at strain rates from 10^–2 to 10^–4 s^–1. The ability of AZ91 strip to undergo superplastic or superplastic‐like deformation in longitudinal direction, in transverse direction, and in 45 degrees to longitudinal direction was investigated with no further thermal or thermomechanical processing applied prior to the testing. At temperature 350 ºC and medium strain rate the maximum elongation reached almost 200% in direction parallel to the strip casting, however in the transverse and 45 degrees direction, different temperature, and at higher strain rates the maximum elongation was lower. Based on microstructural investigation by means of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) it could be seen that continuous dynamic recrystallization of initial coarse dendritic as‐cast microstructure during elevated temperature deformation is active and responsible for high elongations. Additional analysis is provided by means of a strain rate sensitivity characterization and its evolution with increased level of strain. Strain rate sensitivity of AZ91alloy increased with increasing level of strain from 0.20 to 0.33.     

The microstructure and the mechanical property of AZ91D solidified under GPa-grade high-pressure

High-pressure (2–4?GPa) solidified AZ91D alloy was prepared and the microstructure was investigated by X-ray energy diffraction and scanning electronic microscopy. The room-temperature compression deformation behaviour was also studied. The results showed that the high-pressure solidified AZ91D alloy was composed of nanometre β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and equiaxed α-Mg dendrites. The average size of α-Mg grains decreased from 395?±?5?µm (atmosphere pressure) to 12?±?3?µm (4?GPa) and the solubility of Al in α-Mg increased to 6.25?wt-% at 4?GPa. The compression strength of 402?MPa and the relative compression ratio of 27% (4?GPa) were 50% and 93% higher than the original AZ91D. Meanwhile, high pressure can also decreased the corrosion rate from 0.0675?mA/cm² (atmosphere pressure) to 0.0122?mA/cm² (4?GPa).     

SiCw/AZ91镁基复合材料的时效行为研究

本文采用显微硬度计、绝热型比热测定仪和SEM对AZ91镁合金以及SiCw/AZ91镁基复合材料进行了时效显微硬度测定、连续升温比热测定以及时效组织观察.并分析了时效温度、时效时间对析出组织的影响.结果表明:经时效处理,上述两种材料的显微硬度均有提高;复合材料的比热曲线类似镁合金的比热曲线;复合材料的时效组织只在200℃到225℃温度区间的时效过程中出现,其形貌类似于连续析出组织.      

Study on tensile properties and microstructure of cast AZ91D/AlN nanocomposites

AZ91D is a widely used magnesium alloy, but its application is generally limited to below 150 °C because of its weak creep resistance and tensile properties at elevated temperatures. In this study, high temperature (200 °C) tensile properties including yield strength and tensile strength of AZ91D are much improved by adding only about 1.0 wt% AlN nanoparticles in the AZ91D matrix through an innovative ultrasonic cavitation based dispersion of nanoparticles. The good ductility of AZ91D is also retained in AZ91D/1%AlN nanocomposites. It is found that ultrasonic cavitation based solidification processing is very effective to disperse AlN nanoparticles in AZ91D melts, which is difficult to obtain by traditional mechanical stirring methods. With a good combination of high temperature yield strength, tensile strength and ductility, AZ91D/1%AlN nanocomposite is promising as a new class of structural materials to be used at temperatures up to 200 °C or higher.     

石墨烯纳米片/AZ91镁基复合材料的显微组织与力学性能

采用铸造工艺制备了石墨烯纳米片(GNPs)增强的AZ91镁基复合材料,测试了复合材料的力学性能,并利用光学显微镜、X射线衍射仪、透射电子显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和能谱仪对复合材料的微观组织、界面结合和断口形貌进行了表征和分析,讨论了复合材料的强化机理。结果表明:石墨烯纳米片可有效细化镁基体的晶粒组织,在添加少量石墨烯纳米片时(0.1%),复合材料的屈服强度、延伸率和显微硬度分别为(164±5)MPa、(7.7±0.1)%和(74.2±2)HV,比基体分别提高了37.8%、13.2%和24.7%。GNPs与镁基体形成了强界面结合,这更有利于发挥应力转移强化、细晶强化等作用,提高镁合金强度、塑性等力学性能。     

T4 热处理对石膏型 AZ91 铸造镁合金组织和性能的影响

用石膏型熔模铸造技术,成功制备了AZ91镁合金铸件.用金相显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、能谱(EDS)以及电子万能实验机等,研究了AZ91镁合金铸态及T4热处理态的显微组织演变和力学性能.结果表明,分布在铸态AZ91镁合金晶界的网状β-Mg17Al12相在T4热处理过程中逐渐溶解,铸态和T4热处理态中均存在大量的A18Mn5化合物,T4处理后,其力学性能显著提高.     

Effects of Ca addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91magnesium alloy

The effects of Ca addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy have been studied. The results show that the Ca addition can refine the microstructure, reduce the quantity of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase, and form new Al₂Ca phase in AZ91 magnesium alloy. With the Ca addition, the tensile strength and elongation of AZ91magnesium alloy at ambient temperature are reduced, whereas Ca addition confers elevated temperature strengthening on AZ91 magnesium alloy. The tensile strength at 150°C increases with increasing Ca content. The impact toughness of AZ91magnesium alloy increases, and then declines as the Ca content increases. The tensile and impact fractographs exhibit intergranular fracture features, Ca addition changes the pattern and quantity of tearing ridge, with radial or parallel tearing ridge increasing, tensile strength, elongation and impact toughness reduce.     

Effect of melt temperature on the oxidation behavior of AZ91D magnesium alloy in 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane/air atmospheres

The oxidation behaviors of AZ91D magnesium alloy in 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane/air atmospheres at temperatures between 660 °C and 760 °C have been studied. The experimental results show that with the increase of melt temperature, the oxidation rate of molten AZ91D magnesium alloy in 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane/air atmospheres increased and the oxidation kinetics changed from parabolic law to linear law. On the other hand, the amount of MgF₂ in the oxide film formed on AZ91D decreased, and the amount of MgO increased. The effect of melt temperature on the oxidation behaviors is primarily related to the relative content of MgO and MgF₂ in the film, as well as the diffusion rate and the evaporation rate of magnesium through the film.     

Microstructure and martensitic transformation behavior of a constant-strain aged Ni–Mn–Ga–Ti magnetic shape memory alloy

The Ni₅₃Mn_23.5Ga_18.5Ti₅ ferromagnetic shape memory alloy has been aged under 2% constant-strain at various temperatures for 3 h, and the microstructure and martensitic transformation behaviors have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that after constant-strain aging, the amount of the Ni-rich precipitates with lenticular morphology is higher and the size of the second-phase particle is smaller when compared to that of the conventional aged samples. The martensitic transformation temperatures first decrease remarkably with the increase of aging temperature, and then increase when the aging temperature exceeds 973 K, which can be attributed to the change of the Ni-content in the matrix as well as the strengthening effect by fine Ni₃Ti precipitates.     

Microstructure and corrosion characteristics of laser-alloyed magnesium alloy AZ91D with Al–Si powder

Blown-powder laser surface alloying was performed on the magnesium alloy AZ91D with Al–Si alloy powder to improve corrosion resistance. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of Mg₂Si, Al₁₂Mg₁₇ and Al₃Mg₂ were formed in the matrix of α-Mg and Al solid solutions in Al–Si alloyed layers. The anodic polarization test in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution showed that preferential corrosion occurred in the α-Mg matrix of the AZ91D base metal. The Al–Si alloyed layers exhibited a lower corrosion rate and a higher polarization resistance than AZ91D. The compactly dispersed dendritic Mg₂Si phase, and the dendritic and angular phases of Al₁₂Mg₁₇ and Al₃Mg₂ in the alloyed microstructure were observed to be corrosion-resistant, constituting a barrier that retards corrosion. Corrosion initiated at the interface between IMCs and the solid solution matrix, and at substructures of the matrix, subsequently pervaded into the surrounding microstructure.     

An investigation on the tribological behavior of AZ91 and AZ91 + 3 wt% RE magnesium alloys at elevated temperatures

The wear behavior of AZ91 and AZ91 + 3 wt% RE magnesium alloys was investigated under a normal load of 20 N at the wear testing temperatures of 25–250 °C and sliding speeds of 0.4 and 1 m s⁻¹. As the sliding speed increased from 0.4 to 1 m s⁻¹ at the wear temperature of 25 °C, the wear rates of AZ91 and AZ91 + 3 wt% RE alloys decreased by about 8% and 60%, respectively. With an increase in the wear temperature to 100 °C, the wear rate of AZ91 alloy was reduced by 58% at a sliding speed of 0.4 m s⁻¹, while the wear rate was sharply increased at a sliding speed of 1 m s⁻¹. At higher wear temperatures, the wear of the AZ91 alloy at both sliding speeds soared as a result of the softening of β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase. However, the wear rate of AZ91 + 3 wt% RE alloy showed a minimum at the wear temperatures of 100 and 200 °C at sliding speeds of 1 and 0.4 m s⁻¹, respectively. Superior wear behavior of AZ91 + 3 wt% RE at the elevated temperatures could be attributed to its higher thermal stability and strength. Furthermore, a rise in sliding speed led to a 55% reduction in the wear rate of AZ91 + 3 wt% RE alloy at the wear temperature of 100 °C due to the formation of stable oxide layers on the wear surface.     

The effect of PVD coatings on the corrosion behaviour of AZ91 magnesium alloy

In this study, multilayered AlN (AlN + AlN + AlN) and AlN + TiN were coated on AZ91 magnesium alloy using physical vapour deposition (PVD) technique of DC magnetron sputtering, and the influence of the coatings on the corrosion behaviour of the AZ91 alloy was examined. A PVD system for coating processes, a potentiostat for electrochemical corrosion tests, X-ray difractometer for compositional analysis of the coatings, and scanning electron microscopy for surface examinations were used. It was determined that PVD coatings deposited on AZ91 magnesium alloy increased the corrosion resistance of the alloy, and AlN + AlN + AlN coating increased the corrosion resistance much more than AlN + TiN coating. However, it was observed that, in the coating layers, small structural defects e.g., pores, pinholes, cracks that could arise from the coating process or substrate and get the ability of protection from corrosion worsened were present.