Grain refinement and orientation of AZ31B magnesium alloy in hot flow forming under different thickness reductions

An analysis of the hot flow forming of Mg-3.0Al-1.0Zn-0.3Mn (AZ31B) alloy was conducted by experiments and numerical simulations. The effects of different thickness reductions on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated at a temperature of 693 K, a spindle speed of 800 rev/min and a feed ratio of 0.1 mm/rev. Thickness reductions have great influence on the uniformity of microstructure along the radial direction (RD) and the grain sizes become refined and uniform when the thickness reduction reaches 45%. The c-axes of most grains are approximately parallel to the RD, with a slight inclination towards the axial direction (AD). The best mechanical properties with UTS of 280 MPa and YS of 175 MPa near the outer surface while 266 MPa and 153 MPa near the inner surface have been achieved due to grain refinement and texture. Moreover, the material flow behavior and stress/strain distributions for single-pass reductions were studied using the ABAQUS/Explicit software. The calculated results indicate that the materials mainly suffer from triaxial compressive stresses and undergo compressive plastic strain in RD and tensile strains in other directions. The higher stress and strain rate near the outer surface lead to more refined grains than that of other regions along the RD, whereas the orientation of the maximum principal compressive stress leads to a discrepancy of the grain orientations in RD.     

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.     

一种细化AZ31镁合金的固液两相区复合挤压工艺

为了通过细化晶粒提高镁合金综合力学性能,基于“工艺耦合,缩短流程”的想法,提出固液两相区挤压剪切复合成形工艺。以AZ31镁合金为研究对象,结合Anycasting技术,对固液两相区成形过程的浇铸过程及凝固过程进行模拟研究;结合实际实验选取合适的挤压参数,从而有效细化AZ31的组织并提高综合性能。结果表明:AZ31在变形区中因枝晶破碎和压力对过冷度的影响等促进了形核,在有效细化晶粒的基础上保证了尺寸的均匀性;且液相的存在有助于协调挤压过程中的变形,减少滑移和孪生变形对织构的影响,显著降低挤压织构的强度,180°角的基面宏观织构极值强度仅为5.3。剪切角能进一步细化晶粒,并提高综合力学性能;当剪切角度为150°时,综合力学性能最优,屈服强度为222 MPa,抗拉强度为309 MPa,伸长率为8%。     

Development of a new integrated severe plastic deformation method

ABSTRACT

A novel one-pass integrated severe plastic deformation method, entitled extrusion compression angular pressing forward extrusion (ECAP-FE), was designed and used for fabricating a fine-grained as-cast AZ31 Mg alloy. Subsequently, mechanical (room temperature compression, tensile and microhardness) and microstructural properties of the processed sample were investigated in detail. In addition, a finite element simulation of the proposed method was carried out for evaluating the equivalent plastic strain and strain rate distribution. The results showed that the ECAP-FE method is a powerful method for processing the ultrafine-grained as-cast AZ31 Mg alloy in a single pass to achieve a uniform and fine microstructure with enhanced mechanical properties. Therefore, it appears that the proposed method has a great potential to a wide range of industrial applications.     

Study of fractional softening of AZ31 magnesium alloy under multistage hot deformation

Abstract

In the present study flow softening behaviour of AZ31 magnesium alloy was investigated by double hit compression tests in the temperature range 250–400°C and strain rate range 10^–3–10^–1 s^–1. The tests were conducted with delay times varying 4–250 s after achieving the critical strain ?_c in each deformation condition. It has been found that static restoration processes (recovery and recrystallisation) were intensely depended on strain rate and deformation temperature. Fractional softening values increased with increasing strain rate and deformation temperature. Accordingly the softening curves were divided into three regions. The softening in the short interpass times was attributed to the occurrence of static recovery and followed by static recrystallisation and grain growth as dominant softening mechanisms for the second and third regions respectively. In addition static recrystallisation kinetics was interpreted by Avrami equation. Analysis of the results indicated that Avrami constant was changed by varying temperature.     

热挤压工艺对AZ31镁合金晶粒大小及性能的影响

对商用AZ31镁合金挤压棒材进行了不同工艺参数的挤压变形,系统研究了挤压工艺参数对AZ31镁合金晶粒大小以及性能的影响,并对镁合金组织的微晶尺寸进行了金相定量分析.研究结果表明,热变形可有效细化晶粒,但对AZ31镁合金晶粒细化是有限度的;对已通过热挤压变形晶粒细化的AZ31镁合金进一步进行大的塑性变形,其晶粒不但没有进一步的细化反而比挤压前略有长大.     

The research on the effect of MgCO3 on the grain refinement in AZ31 magnesium alloy

The effect of MgCO₃ addition on the as‐cast microstructure of AZ31 magnesium alloy has been widely investigated. The results show that the average grain size of the α‐Mg grain in AZ31 magnesium alloy decreases from about 570 μm to 100 μm by the addition of 0.6 wt.% MgCO₃ as gain refiner at 760°C. Based on the analysis of EDS, theoretical calculation of E_bind and Gibbs free energy, we esteem that grain refiner mechanism is mainly attributed to the generation of Al₄C₃, which can be serviced as nucleation site and restrain grain boundary from growing and transferring.     

Preliminary study of biodegradation of AZ31B magnesium alloy

Magnesium alloys are potential to be developed as a new type of biodegradable implant material by use of their active corrosion behavior. Both in vitro and in vivo biodegradation properties of an AZ31B magnesium alloy were investigated in this work. The results showed that AZ31B alloy has a proper degradation rate and much lower hydrogen release in Hank’s solution, with a degradation rate of about 0.3 mm/year and hydrogen release below 0.15 mL/cm². The animal implantation test showed that the AZ31B alloy could slowly biodegrade in femur of the rabbit and form calcium phosphate around the alloy sample, with the Ca/P ratio close to the natural bone.     

MgCO3在AZ31镁合金中的细化效果及机理

为改善AZ31镁合金铸态组织,用MgCO3对其进行细化,采用扫描电子显微镜、X射线衍射仪和金相显微镜研究了细化工艺参数对AZ31镁合金显微组织及其物相组成的影响.结果表明:在AZ31中添加质量分数为0.6%的MgCO3,于760℃保温10 min细化效果最佳,α-Mg晶粒的尺寸由基体合金的570μm降至100μm,降幅约82.5%.少量多次添加MgCO3的细化效果明显优于单次添加MgCO3的细化效果.研究认为,细化机理是MgCO3反应后生成的部分Al4C3质点作为异质核心细化晶粒,多余的Al4C3质点钉扎晶界阻碍晶粒长大.Al元素随固/液界面前沿被快速推至晶界,生成沿晶界生长的β-Mg17Al12相,起到进一步固定晶界的作用.合金元素的分布均有改变.     

Multi-pass large strain rolling of as-cast AZ31 magnesium alloy

As-cast AZ31 magnesium alloy subjected to multi-pass large strain rolling was investigated. A successive rolling process up to three passes was carried out at 370°C with a pass reduction of 30%. Deformation microstructure characteristics prove that the dynamic recrystallisation (DRX) mode changed with the increase of rolling passes. In the first pass, DRX related to twinning played a dominant role. But in the third pass, DRX grains mainly appeared around the pre-existing grain boundaries. The ultimate strength and elongation of rolled sheets after three passes rolling are enhanced by 37 and 39%, respectively, compared to the as-cast alloy. Meanwhile, the tensile fracture mode was ductile fracture which was different from the ductile–brittle fracture of as-cast.     

Microstructures and tensile properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy by continuous extrusion forming process

The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of continuous extrusion forming (Conform process) of AZ31 magnesium alloy. The results indicate that continuous extrusion forming can refine the structure, improve the degree of the structure homogeneity and change the crystal orientation of basal plane and hence enhance the ductility but decrease tensile strength at room temperature. The fracture mechanisms of the material prepared by Conform process change from the mixture of ductile and brittle to the full dimpled rupture compared with the conventional extrudate.     

Rotation friction pressing riveting of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet

A kind of joining method for magnesium alloys, rotation friction pressing riveting (RFPR), is proposed in this paper. In RFPR operation, a rivet with a plug rotating at high speed is brought to contact with the riveted sheets, generating frictional heat between the rivet and riveted sheets, which softens the sheet materials and enables the rivet to be drilled into the sheets under reduced force. When fully inserted, the rivet is stopped rotating, and the plug is immediately pressed into the shank of the rivet by a punch. The expansive deformation of the rivet shank occurs under the action of the plug, thereby forming a mechanical interlock between the rivet and the sheets to fasten the sheets together. The studies show that RFPR of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet can be carried out at ambient temperature, and provides the joints with superior shear strength and fatigue property when compared with self-piercing riveting (SPR). The effects of the operating parameters of RFPR process on the quality of the joints were investigated in the study. The results shows that while the rivet rotation speed little affects the shear strength of RFPR joints, the punch pressure has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the RFPR joints. A numerical analysis was also performed to understand the effect of the punch pressure on the interlock between the rivet and the sheets, and the stress and strain distribution inside the sheet materials around the rivet. The results show that the interlock increased with the punch pressure and there is residual compressive stress inside the sheet materials, which seems to explain the good fatigue property of RFPR joints observed.     

Effects of deformation processes on morphology,microstructure and corrosion resistance of LDHs films on magnesium alloy AZ31

Highly oriented Mg-Al layered double hydroxide(LDHs)films were deposited on magnesium alloy AZ31 with different deformation processes by an easy in-situ growth method.The characteristics of the films were investigated by optical microscopy(OM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and electrochemical,immersion and hydrogen evolution tests.The corrosion protection performance ranked the LDHs films as the increasing series:CS-LDHs(as-cast sample with LDHs)相似文献   

热挤压AZ31镁合金的组织结构与蠕变行为

通过对热挤压态AZ31镁合金进行组织形貌观察、内摩擦应力测定及蠕变性能测试,研究了热挤压AZ31合金的组织结构和蠕变行为.结果表明:热挤压AZ31镁合金的组织具有带状结构特征,并沿轧制方向分布,且有β-Mg17Al12相在合金中弥散析出.蠕变期间,位错运动的内摩擦力有较强的温度敏感性,随温度增加,内应力值明显降低,致使合金具有较高的蠕变速率.合金在蠕变期间,大量位错的形成与运动是蠕变初期的变形机制;蠕变稳态阶段,高密度位错逐渐束集形成位错胞,进一步发生蠕变期间的动态再结晶.随裂纹在晶界处萌生使蠕变进入第三阶段,而裂纹沿晶界韧性撕裂扩展是合金的蠕变断裂机制.     

Improved properties of friction stir-welded AZ31 magnesium alloy by post-weld heat treatment

Mechanical properties and microstructure of friction stir-welded AZ31 based on variety post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) temperatures were evaluated, and an optimal PWHT condition was identified. At rotational speed of 1200?rev?min^?1 and welding speed of 300?mm?min^?1, the average yield tensile, tensile strength and elongation of friction stir-welded joints was 92.5?MPa, 199.1?MPa and 7.3%, respectively. It was found that (300°C – 1?h) heat treatment after welding was more beneficial than other heat treatments in enhancing the mechanical properties and homogenising grain size. The maximum yield and tensile strength was 139.9 and 238.4?MPa, respectively, tensile longitudinal and compressive transverse residual stress could be effectively eliminated, and the fatigue strength increased 34.2% comparing with as-welded joints.     

Temperature evolution analysis of AZ31B magnesium alloy during quasi-static fracture

Fracture toughness of AZ31B magnesium alloy subjected to quasi-static loading was investigated by infrared thermography. The results showed that temperature evolution around the crack propagation path during fracture underwent three stages: initial steady stage, monotonic increase stage and final steady stage. The temperature increase at the beginning of stage II is nearly corresponding to the initiation of unstable crack propagation. And based on this phenomenon, a method applying infrared thermography to estimate fracture toughness of AZ31B magnesium alloy was proposed. Fracture toughness was calculated through infrared thermography, which was in good agreement with the result determined by traditional standard method. Finally, the fracture mechanism was investigated.     

AZ31薄板热拉深工艺研究

为提高AZ31薄板热拉深质量、确定热拉深过程的合理工艺参数,选取不同的成形温度、模具间隙及凸模圆角半径,拉深成形了AZ31试样,采用KH-2200MD金相显微镜观察其内部组织变化,并通过x-ray衍射实验分析晶面取向的变化.实验结果表明,0.8mm的AZ31B镁合金板料在240℃附近的成形性能最好,拉深后材料组织晶粒大小均匀,晶面取向分布均匀.热拉深AZ31B镁合金板料应将凸、凹模间隙选为1.1倍的板料厚度.在压边力不变的条件下,随着凸模圆角半径的减小,拉深高度降低加快,并且起皱现象加重.     

Microstructure and properties of magnesium alloy processed by a new severe plastic deformation method

A new severe plastic deformation (SPD) method called C shape equal channel reciprocating extrusion (CECRE) was developed to fabricate fine grained AZ31 Mg alloys. The results show that homogeneous microstructure with mean grain size of 3.6 μm is obtained as the accumulated true strain is increased to 11. Strain localization leading to dynamic recrystallizaion (DRX) occurring is the main reason for grain refinement during CECRE process. At the same time, the hardness of AZ31 alloy increases from 62.6 of as-extruded to 74.6 of CECRE 4 passes.     

Si-RE复合合金化对AZ31镁合金显微组织及力学性能的影响

采用Si-RE元素对AZ31镁合金进行复合微合金化,利用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)及拉伸实验仪等手段研究Si-RE元素对AZ31镁合金的微观组织和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明,Si-RE复合加入可以明显细化AZ31镁合金的铸态组织,β-Mg17Al12相也由网状分布变为颗粒状,同时生成了短棒状和针状的Mg2Si相及Al11RE3相;合金的综合力学性能显著改善,AZ31+0.4%Si+0.5%RE的强度和延伸率比原始AZ31镁合金分别提高了42MPa和3.9%,试样室温拉伸断口虽然是以解理为主的脆性断裂,但断口中出现了少量的韧窝,解理面也较小。     

Surface modification of magnesium alloy AZ31 by hydrofluoric acid treatment and its effect on the corrosion behaviour

In the present study, the effect of hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment on the surface composition and corrosion behaviour of the magnesium alloy AZ 31 was investigated. The HF treatment of the samples was performed with various concentrations and at different treatment times. The samples surfaces were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed the formation of hydroxides, oxides and compounds of the general formula Mg(OH)_xF_2 − x on the samples surfaces, as well as variations on impurities concentrations. The process led to distinct surfaces, each having its specific corrosion resistance, which was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentio-dynamic polarization. The most improved corrosion protection was achieved using the concentrations of 14 and 20 mol L^− 1 and 24 h of treatment time, resulting in corrosion rates 20 times lower than those of untreated samples. These two solutions also resulted in an improved corrosion protection for further polymeric coatings, showing that this treatment is an excellent pre-treatment for corrosion protective layers on magnesium alloys.