Effect of Al addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg−Gd−Zn alloys

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg?15.3Gd?1Zn alloys with different Al contents (0, 0.4, 0.7 and 1.0 wt.%) were investigated. Microstructural analysis indicates that the addition of 0.4 wt.% Al facilitates the formation of 18R-LPSO phase (Mg₁₂Gd(Al, Zn)) in the Mg?Gd?Zn alloy. The contents of Al₁₁Gd₃ and Al₂Gd increase with the increase of Al content, while the content of (Mg, Zn)₃Gd decreases. After homogenization treatment, (Mg, Zn)₃Gd, 18R-LPSO and some Al₁₁Gd₃ phases are transformed into the high-temperature stable 14H-LPSO phases. The particulate Al?Gd phases can stimulate the nucleation of dynamic recrystallization by the particle simulated nucleation (PSN) mechanism. The tensile strength of the as-rolled alloys is improved remarkably due to the grain refinement and the fiber-like reinforcement of LPSO phase. The precipitation of the β′ phase in the peak-aged alloys can significantly improve the strength. The peak-aged alloy containing 0.4 wt.% Al achieves excellent mechanical properties and the UTS, YS and elongation are 458 MPa, 375 MPa and 6.2%, respectively.     

Effects of Mg content on microstructure and mechanical properties of low Zn-containing Al−xMg−3Zn−1Cu cast alloys

Effects of Mg content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low Zn-containing Al?xMg? 3Zn?1Cu cast alloys (x=3?5, wt.%) were investigated. As Mg content increased in the as-cast alloys, the grains were refined due to enhanced growth restriction, and the formation of η-Mg(AlZnCu)₂ and S-Al₂CuMg phases was inhibited while the formation of T-Mg₃₂(AlZnCu)₄₉ phase was promoted when Mg content exceeded 4 wt.%. The increase of Mg content encumbered the solution kinetics by increasing the size of eutectic phase but accelerated and enhanced the age-hardening through expediting precipitation kinetics and elevating the number density of the precipitates. As Mg content increased, the yield strength and tensile strength of the as-cast, solution-treated and peak-aged alloys were severally improved, while the elongation of the alloys decreased. The tensile strength and elongation of the peak-aged Al?5Mg?3Zn?1Cu alloy exceed 500 MPa and 5%, respectively. Precipitation strengthening implemented by T′ precipitates is the predominant strengthening mechanism in the peak-aged alloys and is enhanced by increasing Mg content.     

Effect of Y on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg−4Li−3Al alloys

To obtain magnesium alloys with a low density and improved mechanical properties, Y element was added into Mg−4Li−3Al (wt.%) alloys, and the effect of Y content on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties was investigated by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and tensile tests. The results show that mechanical properties of as-cast Mg−4Li−3Al alloys with Y addition are significantly improved as a result of hot extrusion. The best comprehensive mechanical properties are obtained in hot-extruded Mg−4Li−3Al−1.5Y alloy, which possesses high ultimate tensile strength (UTS=248 MPa) and elongation (δ=27%). The improvement of mechanical properties of hot-extruded Mg−4Li−3Al−1.5Y alloy was mainly attributed to combined effects of grain refinement, solid solution strengthening and precipitation strengthening.     

Effect of minor Sc and Zr on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

1 Introduction The microstructure and properties of aluminium alloys are strongly affected by adding small quantities of scandium. Minor Sc may improve the temperature of recrystallization and fracture toughness, decrease the sensitivity of stress corrosi…     

Effects of Li content on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg−xLi−3Al−2Zn−0.5Y alloys

The effects of Li content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-cast Mg?xLi?3Al?2Zn? 0.5Y (LAZx32-0.5Y) alloys were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, hardness tester and universal testing machine. The results show that the matrix of the alloy transforms from α-Mg to α-Mg+β-Li and then to β-Li when the Li content increases from 4% to 14% (mass fraction). All LAZx32-0.5Y alloys contain AlLi and Al₂Y, while MgLi₂Al appears only in the alloy containing the β-Li matrix. As the Li content increases, the content of AlLi and MgLi₂Al gradually increases, while the content of Al₂Y does not change much. As the Li content increases from 4% to 10%, the ultimate tensile strength and hardness of the as-cast LAZx32-0.5Y alloys gradually decrease while the elongation gradually increases. The corresponding fracture mechanism changes from cleavage fracture to quasi-cleavage fracture and then to microporous aggregation fracture. This is mainly attributed to the decrease of α-Mg and the increase of β-Li in the alloy. When the Li content continues to increase to 10% and 14%, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and hardness of the as-cast LAZx32-0.5Y alloys gradually increase, while the elongation decreases sharply, which is mainly attributed to the nano-scale MgLi₂Al uniformly distributed in the β-Li matrix.     

Effects of minor Sc on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Zr alloy welded joint

Two kinds of AI-6.0Zn-2.0Mg-0.12Zr and AI-6.0Zn-2.0Mg-0.2Sc-0.12Zr alloy plates were prepared by ingot-metallurgy. The alloy plates with 3 mm thickness were welded by argon shield welding method, and the mechanical properties and microstructures of the two welded joints filled with AI-Mg-Sc welding wire were studied comparatively. The results show that firstly, minor Sc can raise the mechanical properties of the Al-Zn-Mg-Zr base alloy greatly. The reason for the increment is the fine grain strengthening, precipitation strengthening and the substructure strengthening caused by Al3（Sc, Zr）. Secondly, η phase （MgZn2） and grain size in the heat-affected zone of the alloy without Sc become coarse obviously, the η＇ phase （MgZn2） in the heat-affected zone of the alloy with Sc becomes coarse also, but the grain size has no visible change. Al3（Sc, Zr） particles are rather stable and can inhibit the movement of dislocation/land sub-grain boundaries, overaging softening is not serious. Thirdly, adding minor Sc can raise the strength of welded joint remarkably, the tensile strength of alloy with Sc increases from 395 MPa to 447 MPa and the welding coefficient increases from 0.7 to 0.8 as well. The reason for the high strength of welded joint with Sc addition is the fine grain strengthening, precipitation strengthening and the increasing of resistance to thermal cycling softening caused by Al3（Sc, Zr）.     

The effects of Sc on the microstructure and mechanical properties of hypo-eutectic Al−Si alloys

The eutectic Si microstructure in Al-8.5wt.%Si alloy was changed from large flakes to fine lamellar when the Sc amount in the alloy reached 0.2 wt.%. 0.8wt.%Sc was optimal in terms of attaining the best modification effect. Study on the distribution of the modifiers and measurement of the surface tension of Al-8.5wt.%Si alloy melt with added Sr, Na, and Sc modifiers, respectively, reveals that Sc modifies eutectic Si by a decrease of surface tension, while Sr and Na modify eutectic Si mainly by an impurity-induced twinning mechanism. Al-8.5wt.%Si-0.4wt.%Sc alloy displayed approximately 50 and 70% increases in tensile strength and elongation, respectively, over Al-8.5wt.%Si alloy in the cast state. It also presented approximately 65 and 70% increases in tensile strength and elongation, respectively, over Al-8.5wt.%Si alloy at a ppt heat-treated state at 200°C for 3 h.     

Effect of minor Sc and Zr addition on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys

Three kinds of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu based alloys with 0.22%, 0.36%（Sc＋Zr） （mass fraction, %）, and without Sc, Zr addition were prepared by ingot metallurgy. By using optical microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, the effects of microalloying elements of Sc, Zr on the microstructure of super-high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys related to mechanical properties were investigated. The tensile properties and microstructures of the studied alloys under different heat treatment conditions were studied. The addition of minor Sc, Zr results in the formation of Ala（Sc,Zr） particles. These particles are highly effective in refining the microstructures, retarding recrystallization, pinning dislocations and subboundaries. The strength of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys was greatly improved by simultaneously adding minor Sc, Zr, meanwhile the ductility of the studied alloys remains at a higher level. The 0.36%（Sc＋Zr） alloys gain the optimal properties after 465 ℃/h solution and 120 ℃/24 h aging. The increment of strength is mainly due to strengthening of fine grain and substructure and precipitation ofAl3（Sc, Zr） particles.     

Effect of minor Zr and Sc on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu–Cr–V alloys

The effects of minor contents of Zr and Sc on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu–Cr–V alloy were studied. The results show that the effects of minor Zr and Sc on the as-cast grain refinement in the ingots, the improvement in the strength of the as-extruded alloys and the restriction of high angle grain boundaries in the aged alloys can be sorted as Al₃Sc>Al₃(Zr,Sc)>Al₃Zr. None of them could stop the nucleation of recrystallization, but Al₃(Zr,Sc) phase is a more effective inhibitor of dislocation movement compared to Al₃Sc in the aged alloys. Compared with the mechanical properties of the aged alloy added only 0.15% Sc, the joint addition of Zr and Sc to the alloy leads to a very slight decrease in strength with even no cost of ductility. Taking both the production cost and the little bad influence on mechanical properties into consideration, an optimal content of Zr and Sc in the Al–Mg–Si–Cu–Cr–V alloy to substitute 0.15% Sc is 0.13% Zr+0.03% Sc.     

Effect of Al addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg−Zn−Sn−Mn alloy

The microstructure and properties of the as-cast, as-homogenized and as-extruded Mg−6Zn−4Sn−1Mn (ZTM641) alloy with various Al contents (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt.%) were investigated by OM, XRD, DSC, SEM, TEM and uniaxial tensile tests. The results show that when the Al content is not higher than 0.5%, the alloys are mainly composed of α-Mg, Mg₂Sn, Al₈Mn₅ and Mg₇Zn₃ phases_. When the Al content is higher than 0.5%, the alloys mainly consist of α-Mg, Mg₂Sn, MgZn, Mg₃₂(Al,Zn)₄₉, Al₂Mg₅Zn₂, Al₁₁Mn₄ and Al₈Mn₅ phases. A small amount of Al (≤1%) can increase the proportion of fine dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grains during hot-extrusion process. The room- temperature tensile test results show that the ZTM641−1Al alloy has the best comprehensive mechanical properties, in which the ultimate tensile strength is 332 MPa, yield strength is 221 MPa and the elongation is 15%. Elevated- temperature tensile test results at 150 and 200 °C show that ZTM641−2Al alloy has the best comprehensive mechanical properties.     

Simulation on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg−Y alloys: Effect of trace Y

The influence of trace Y on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg_100?xY_x (x=0.25, 0.75, 1.5, 3, 4, 5, at.%) alloys during solidification process was investigated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results show that the Mg_100?xY_x alloys are mainly characterized by a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure; this is different from pure metal Mg, which exhibits a hexagonal close packed (HCP) structure at room temperature. Among these alloys, Mg_99.25Y_0.75 has a larger proportion of FCC cluster structures, with the highest fraction reaching 56.65%. As the content of the Y increases up to 5 at.% (Mg₉₅Y₅ alloy), the amount of amorphous structures increases. The mechanical properties of the Mg_100?xY_x alloys are closely related to their microstructures. The Mg_99.25Y_0.75 and Mg₉₇Y₃ alloys exhibit the highest yield strengths of 1.86 and 1.90 GPa, respectively. The deformation mechanism of the Mg?Y alloys is described at the atomic level, and it is found that a difference in the FCC proportion caused by different Y contents leads to distinct deformation mechanisms.     

Effects of nano-sized TiB2 particles and Al3Zr dispersoids on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu based materials

The effects of TiB₂ and Zr on the microstructure, aging response and mechanical properties of hot-extruded Al–Zn–Mg–Cu based materials were investigated and compared by multi-scale microstructure characterization techniques. The results showed that proper addition of TiB₂ particles could refine grain size during solidification, promote dynamic recrystallization during extrusion, and inhibit grain growth during solution treatment. Meanwhile, Zr addition had minor influence on the grain refinement during solidification, but could effectively suppress recrystallization and grain growth compared with the Zr-free alloy. Furthermore, the TiB₂ addition could simultaneously enhance the aging kinetics and peak-aged hardness of the materials. Comparatively, Zr addition could also improve the peak-aged hardness with minor effect on the aging kinetics of the materials. Finally, the quench sensitivity, elastic modulus and tensile properties of the materials were compared and studied. Specifically, the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties, and the strengthening mechanisms were discussed in detail.     

Effects of micro-alloying with Sc and Mn on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Mg based alloys

1INTRODUCTIONAluminum alloys containing scandium havemany excellent properties,such as high strengthtogether with high ductility,good neutron-irradia-tion and corrosion-resistance,and superior weld-ability[14],thus can serve as high-performancestructural materials.They are mainly used formanufacturing aerospace,defense and militaryfacilities.However,a critical Sc content must bereachedin the alloys in order to obtain a good per-formance[57],suggesting that a relatively largequantity of Sc…     

Effects of trace Ag on precipitation behavior and mechanical properties of extruded Mg−Gd−Y−Zr alloys

The effects of trace Ag element on the precipitation behaviors and mechanical properties of the Mg−7.5Gd− 1.5Y−0.4Zr (wt.%) alloy by means of tensile test, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffractometry, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. There is an unusual texture (〈0001〉//extrusion direction) in the extruded Mg−Gd−Y−Zr alloys containing 0.5 wt.% Ag. During the aging periods at 225 °C, the addition of the trace Ag does not form new precipitates, just accelerates aging kinetics, and refines β′ precipitates, thereby increasing the number density of the β′ precipitates by Ag-clusters. Moreover, the Mg−Gd−Y−Zr alloy containing 0.5 wt.% Ag shows the most excellent synergy of strength and plasticity (408 MPa of ultimate tensile strength, 265 MPa of yield strength, and 12.9% of elongation to failure) after peak-aging.     

Tensile properties and strengthening mechanisms of Mg−Zn−Zr alloys

Six Mg−Zn−Zr alloys, with and without RE additionswere tested at room temperature and 473 K. Yield stresses of parts of the six alloys were calculated theoretically. Microstructures of the specimens before and after heat treatment were compared in order to determine the reason for the decrease in yield stresses at room temperature. The strengthening mechanisms at different temperatures were discussed. This article is based on a presentation in “The 7th Korea-China Workshop on Advanced Materials” organized by the Korea-China Advanced Materials Cooperation Center and the China-Korea Advanced Materials Cooperation Center, held at Ramada Plaza Jeju Hotel, Jeju Island, Korea on August 24–27, 2003.     

High temperature mechanical properties and microstructure of die forged Al−5.87Zn−2.07Mg−2.42Cu alloy

The high temperature mechanical properties (250 °C) and microstructure of a die-forged Al−5.87Zn− 2.07Mg−2.42Cu alloy after T6 heat treatment were investigated. High temperature tensile tests show that as the temperature increases from room temperature to 250 °C, the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy decreases from 638 to 304 MPa, and the elongation rises from 13.6% to 20.4%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) were applied for microstructure characterization, which indicates that the increase of tensile temperature can lead to the coarsening of precipitates, drop of dislocation density, and increase of dynamic recovery. After tensile testing at 250 °C, a sub-grain structure composed of a high fraction of small-angle grain boundary is formed.     

Effects of titanium addition on structural,mechanical, tribological,and corrosion properties of Al−25Zn−3Cu and Al−25Zn−3Cu−3Si alloys

To investigate the effect of grain refinement on the material properties of recently developed Al−25Zn−3Cu based alloys, Al−25Zn−3Cu, Al−25Zn−3Cu−0.01Ti, Al−25Zn−3Cu−3Si and Al−25Zn−3Cu−3Si−0.01Ti alloys were produced by permanent mold casting method. Microstructures of the alloys were examined by SEM. Hardness and mechanical properties of the alloys were determined by Brinell method and tensile tests, respectively. Tribological characteristics of the alloys were investigated by a ball-on-disc type test machine. Corrosion properties of the alloys were examined by an electrochemical corrosion experimental setup. It was observed that microstructure of the ternary A1−25Zn−3Cu alloy consisted of α, α+η and θ (Al₂Cu) phases. It was also observed that the addition of 3 wt.% Si to A1−25Zn−3Cu alloy resulted in the formation of silicon particles in its microstructure. The addition of 0.01 wt.% Ti to the Al−25Zn−3Cu and Al−25Zn−3Cu−3Si alloys caused a decrement in grain size by approximately 20% and 39% and an increment in hardness from HRB 130 to 137 and from HRB 141 to 156, respectively. Yield strengths of these alloys increased from 278 to 297 MPa and from 320 to 336 MPa while their tensile strengths increased from 317 to 340 MPa and from 334 to 352 MPa. Wear resistance of the alloys increased, but corrosion resistance decreased with titanium addition.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of squeeze-cast Al−5.0Mg−3.0Zn−1.0Cu alloys in solution-treated and aged conditions

The microstructure and mechanical properties at different depths of squeeze-cast, solution-treated and aged Al−5.0Mg−3.0Zn−1.0Cu alloy were investigated. For squeeze-cast alloy, from casting surface to interior, the grain size of α(Al) matrix and width of T-Mg₃₂(AlZnCu)₄₉ phase increase significantly, while the volume fraction of T phase decreases. The related mechanical properties including ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation decrease from 243.7 MPa and 2.3% to 217.9 MPa and 1.4%, respectively. After solution treatment at 470 °C for 36 h, T phase is dissolved into matrix, and the grain size increases so that the UTS and elongation from surface to interior are respectively reduced from 387.8 MPa and 18.6% to 348.9 MPa and 13.9%. After further peak-aging at 120 °C for 24 h, numerous G.P. II zone and η′ phase precipitate in matrix. Consequently, UTS values of the surface and interior increase to 449.5 and 421.4 MPa, while elongation values decrease to 12.5% and 8.1%, respectively.     

Effect of welding speed on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al−Mg−Mn−Zr−Tialloy sheet during friction stir welding

Effects of welding speed on the microstructure evolution in the stir zone (SZ) and mechanical properties of the friction stir welding (FSW) joints were studied by OM, XRD, SEM, TEM, EBSD and tensile testing. Compared with the base metal (BM), an obviously fine dynamic recrystallization (DRX) microstructure occurs in the SZ and the DRX grain size decreases from 5.6 to 4.4 μm with the increasing of welding speed. Fine DRX microstructure is mainly achieved by continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) mechanism, strain induced boundary migration (SIBM) mechanism and particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) mechanism. Meanwhile, the geometric coalescence and the Burke−Turnbull mechanism are the main DRX grain growth mechanisms. Among all the welding speeds, the joint welded at rotation speed of 1500 r/min and welding speed of 75 mm/min has the greatest tensile properties, i.e. ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of (509±2) MPa, yield strength (YS) of (282±4) MPa, elongation (El) of (23±1)%, and the joint efficiency of 73%.