Broad-beam laser cladding of Al-Si alloy coating on AZ91HP magnesium alloy

In the present study, an attempt was made to improve the wear resistance and the corrosion resistance of AZ91HP magnesium alloy by laser cladding Al-Si eutectic alloy. The results showed that the clad layer mainly consisted of Mg₂Si, Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Mg₂Al₃ phases. The microstructure of the bonding zone changed from columnar grains to equiaxial grains along the direction of heat-flow. The heat-affected zone consisted of α-Mg and α-Mg + β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ eutectic. The formation of multiple Mg intermetallic compounds allowed the clad layer to exhibit higher hardness, better wear resistance and corrosion resistance.     

Influences of laser powers on microstructure and properties of the coatings on the AZ91HP magnesium alloy

Al-Si alloy coatings were prepared on AZ91HP magnesium alloy by broad-beam laser cladding; the influences of the powers on the microstructure and properties of the coatings were discussed. It was found that the microstructure of the coatings at the powers of 3 and 3.5kW was characterized by Mg₂Si dendrites, and needle-like Mg₂Al₃(hcp) dispersing in the Mg₁₇Al₁₂ matrix, whereas the coating at the power of 2.5 kW was composed of the petal-like Mg₂Al₃ (fcc) as well as the needle-like Mg₂Al₃(hcp). The coating at the power of 4 kW appeared as α-Mg solid solution and Mg₂Si, Mg₁₇Al₁₂, as well as Mg₂Al₃ (hcp). The coatings with the powers of 3 and 3.5　kW exhibited higher microhardness and better wear resistance because of more Mg₂Si and Mg₁₇Al₁₂. However, the coating at the power of 2.5 kW displayed better corrosion resistance.     

Warm incremental forming of magnesium alloy AZ31

Industrial application of magnesium alloy AZ31 is dramatically increasing due to the very competitive mechanical strength vs. weight ratio. On the other hand, AZ31 is very difficult to be formed at room temperature. In this study incremental forming of the above material is taken into account, with particular reference to formability limits. The role of the main process parameters on material formability was investigated through a wide experimental campaign and a rigorous statistical analysis.     

Gas-tungsten arc welding of AZ91 magnesium alloy

The gas-tungsten arc (GTA) welding behaviors of the commercial AZ91 magnesium alloy were examined in terms of process efficiencies and microstructure characteristics. This study focused on the effects of GTA welding process parameters (like welding current in the range of 100/300 A and welding speed in the range of 3.33/13.33 mm/s) on energy absorption by the substrate material. The dependences of arc and welding efficiency on the used process parameters were presented. The measurements revealed that the arc efficiency values ranged from 0.63 to 0.88. Melting efficiency was found to rise with both increasing welding current and speed. The analyses revealed a strong influence of the GTA welding process on the width and depth of the fusion zone and also on the refinement of the microstructure in the fusion zone. The results of dendrite arm size (DAS) measurements were presented. Additionally, the presence of a partially melted zone (PMZ) was disclosed.     

电磁搅拌对镁合金AZ91D凝固组织的影响

利用自制的电磁搅拌装置和淬火技术，研究了励磁电压和搅拌时间对镁合金AZ91D凝固组织的影响。结果表明：增加励磁电压和延长搅拌时间均有利于花瓣状和团块状的初生α—Mg相形成。电磁搅拌极大地改变了熔体中的传热和传质过程，影响了晶体的形核和生长，从而决定了凝固组织。     

Anticorrosive magnesium phosphate coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy

A novel anticorrosive film with a thickness of approximately 50 μm was successfully coated on an AZ31 magnesium alloy by chemical and low-heat treatments (50 °C). The film was a single-phase system of newberyite (MgHPO₄•3H₂O) having an orthorhombic crystal structure. The corrosion current density of the newberyite film coated on the AZ31 magnesium alloy decreased by more than two orders of magnitude as compared to that of the AZ31 magnesium alloy. The static water contact angle of the newberyite film was less than 10°. The average value of the scratch critical load for the newberyite coating was estimated to be approximately 15 mN.     

Characterization of anodic films formed on AZ91D magnesium alloy

Anodization of die-casted AZ91D magnesium alloy was performed in 3 M KOH+0.21 M Na₃PO₄+0.6 M KF base electrolyte with and without Al(NO₃)₃ addition. The anodic film was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion resistance of the various anodized alloys was then evaluated in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and immersion testing. The results showed that the anodic film was mainly composed of MgO. The addition of Al(NO₃)₃ into the base electrolyte results in the formation of Al₂O₃ and Al(OH)₃ in the anodic film. The maximum amount of Al₂O₃ was found in the anodic film when the alloy was anodized in the electrolyte containing 0.15 M Al(NO₃)₃. The results of EIS analysis and morphological examination showed that the MgO anodic film modified with Al₂O₃ exhibited the superior corrosiom resistance for AZ91D Mg alloy.     

Enhanced heterogeneous nucleation in AZ91D alloy by intensive melt shearing

Intensive melt shearing was applied to the commercial AZ91D alloy melt to investigate its effects on grain refinement. Alloy melts with and without melt shearing were also filtered using a pressurized filtration technique to concentrate the potential nucleating particles for electron microscopic examination. The results showed that intensive melt shearing resulted in significant refinement of both the Al₈Mn₅ intermetallics and the primary α-Mg phase in the as-cast AZ91D alloy, and that this grain-refining effect is insensitive to the superheat and can persist even after prolonged isothermal holding. The pressurized filtration experiments showed for the first time that oxide films and skins consist of nano-sized MgO particles populated densely in a liquid matrix. Intensive melt shearing can effectively disperse such MgO particles throughout the alloy melt. The HRTEM investigation and detailed crystallographic analysis confirmed that dispersed MgO particles act as potent heterogeneous nucleation sites for both the Al₈Mn₅ and α-Mg phase.     

Corrosion properties of surface-modified AZ91D magnesium alloy

Samples of AZ91D magnesium alloy were dipped into AlCl₃–NaCl molten salt at different temperatures between 250 °C and 400 °C for 28800 s. The thickness of the alloying layer is increased with the rise of the treatment temperatures. The coating was mainly composed of Al₁₂Mg₁₇ and Al₃Mg₂ intermetallic compounds. The corrosion resistance of the coating which is obtained at 300 °C for 28800 s is the best. When the treatment temperature is higher than 300 °C, some cracks developed in the alloying layers. The cracks were resulted from the thermal stress due to the different thermal expansion coefficient of the AZ91D substrate and the alloying coating during the rapid cooling process.     

Surface oxidation of molten AZ91D magnesium alloy in air

The surface of a stagnant AZ91D alloy melt has been exposed to air under two oxidation conditions: at 610°C for 30 min and at 650°C for 10 s. After oxidising, the samples were sand quenched. The macroscopic morphology of the surfaces exhibited regions of non-nodular growth (in a layer manner) and regions of nodular growth. Additionally, the 610°C 30 min condition presented a region where localised combustion took place. The microscopic morphology of the surfaces and the nature of the surface reaction products have been analysed using field emission gun SEM and X-ray diffraction techniques, respectively. These results showed that all these morphologies, i.e. sponge-like, nodular and layer, were porous and therefore non-protective with respect to the evaporation and oxidation of Mg and Zn from the surface of the AZ91D alloy melt. In all these regions, MgO was the main oxidation product along with traces of ZnO and AlN.     

AZ91D镁合金表面聚氨酯涂层耐腐蚀性能

利用附着力及铅笔硬度测试、浸泡试验、盐雾试验、电化学试验等方法对AZ91D镁合金表面的聚氨酯涂层及环氧聚氨酯涂层形貌和性能进行了研究,并对两种涂层的腐蚀保护效果及机理进行了探讨。结果表明,这两种涂层都能显著提高镁合金的耐腐蚀性能,与基材附着良好且硬度高。与聚氨酯涂层PU相比,环氧聚氨酯涂层ER/PU的耐腐蚀效果更好。     

Corrosion behavior of laser melted AZ91HP magnesium alloy

AZ91HP magnesium alloy was melted by CO₂ laser. Compared with as‐received Mg alloy, the grain of the melted layer was refined significantly and the content of Al was increased. The corrosion resistance of the melted layer was improved because of the grain refinement, the redistribution of β‐Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and the increasing of the Al content. As compared to the non‐overlapping zone, the overlapping zone of the melted layer was liable to be corroded.     

Microstructure and performance of AZ80D magnesium alloy by purification of chloride flux containing Er

The purification effects of Er addition in chloride flux during smelting on microstructure, tensile properties, and corrosion resistance of as-cast AZ80 D magnesium alloy were carried out. The results show that Er addition in the flux can eliminate the MgO inclusions and improve the tensile properties and corrosion resistance of the alloy. Using chloride flux mixed with 8.0 wt% Er, σb and δ of the as-cast AZ80 D magnesium alloy can be improved from 150 MPa and 2.1 % to the maximum value of 230 MPa and 4.8 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the corrosion rate decreases from 1.10 to 0.12 mg·（cm^2·d）^-1 in 5 wt% NaCl solution. However, with increasing Er content in chloride flux further, φ-（Al7ErMn5） and τ-（Al66.7Mg23.3Er10） phase are formed, and the morphology of γ-（Mg17Al12） phase is modified. The coarse φ-（Al7ErMn5）phase along dendrite boundaries decreases cohesion force between dendrites, which results in the worse of tensile properties.     

Fabrication of calcium phosphate/chitosan coatings on AZ91D magnesium alloy with a novel method

Four calcium phosphate/chitosan composite films were fabricated on the surface of micro-arc oxidized (MAO)-AZ91D alloy through electrophoretic deposition (EDP) followed by a conversion process of the coatings in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS). In the EPD process, nano hydroxyapatite (n-HA, Ca₁₀(PO₄) ₆(OH)₂) and Ca(OH)₂ in the layers were obtained from a n-HA/ethanol suspension and a n-HA/chitosan-acetic acid aqueous solution, respectively. After immersion into PBS, brushite (DCPD, CaHPO₄·2H₂O) and new HA were introduced into the deposited layers. The percentage of Ca(OH)₂ in the deposited layers played an important role in developing the new phase in the conversion layers. When the percentages of Ca(OH)₂ in the deposited layers were 32 wt. % and 54 wt. %, the main phase of the conversion layers was DCPD with a little HA. However, when the percentages of Ca(OH)₂ were 64 wt. % and 100 wt. %, the main phase of the conversion layers became HA with a little DCPD. The calcium phosphate/chitosan coatings with more homogeneous bioactive layers and better adhesion strength on MAO-AZ91D alloy substrate were obtained from the electrolyte whose volume percentages of the n-HA/chitosan-acetic acid aqueous solution being 60% and 80%.So, EPD combined with a conversion process into PBS could be a promising method for the preparation of new calcium phosphate/chitosan coatings.     

Microstructure and corrosion performance of a cold sprayed aluminium coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

A pure Al coating was deposited on AZ91D magnesium alloy through cold spray (CS) technique. The microstructure of the coating was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the grain interfaces and subgrains formed close to the particle/particle boundaries. Electrochemical tests revealed that the cold sprayed pure Al coating had better pitting corrosion resistance than bulk pure Al with similar purity in neutral 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. In addition, a mass-transfer step was found to be involved in the corrosion during 10 days immersion.     

Atmospheric corrosion of field-exposed magnesium alloy AZ91D

The magnesium alloy AZ91D was exposed in three different types of atmospheric environment, viz. urban, rural and marine exposure sites. Corrosion rates, corrosion products formed, and the influence of the microstructure on the corrosion behaviour of the alloy were investigated. The corrosion rate of AZ91D exposed in the marine environment was 4.2 μm/year, and in the rural and urban environments 2.2 and 1.8 μm/year, respectively. The main corrosion product found was magnesium carbonate hydromagnesite (Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O), which was formed at all three exposure sites. The corrosion attack started in the -phase in larger grains at the boundary between the -phase and the eutectic -/β-phase. Microgalvanic elements were formed with the eutectic -/β-Mg phase as cathodic site and the -Mg grains as anodes. The Al–Mn particles played a minor roll in the initiation process, even though these particles are the most noble in the microstructure and thus the driving force for a corrosion attack around these particles could be expected to be high. A close resemblance was observed between the corrosion mechanisms operating under the field-exposure conditions described here and the mechanisms operating under the previously reported laboratory conditions.     

About some corrosion mechanisms of AZ91D magnesium alloy

The present work is dedicated to a study of the corrosion resistance of AZ91D (91% Mg) alloy in wet environments. Three industrial alloys obtained by die-casting or sand casting were subjected to salt spray corrosion tests (ASTM-B117 standard) and immersion tests. Weight loss kinetic curves were measured. Surface analysis was performed by X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPS). After corrosion the sand cast alloy presents a surface mainly enriched in hydroxides and carbonates while the die-cast alloy presents a surface enriched also in mixed Mg-Al oxides. The quantitative analysis of the rate Mg/Al shows an enrichment in aluminium for the die-cast alloys in comparison to the sand cast alloy.     

Process and joint characterizations of laser-MIG hybrid welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy

High power laser-metal inert gas (MIG) hybrid welding of AZ31 Mg alloys was studied. Microstructure and fracture surface of welded joints were observed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of welded joints were evaluated by tensile test. Under the optimal welding parameters, the stable process and sound joints were obtained. The tensile strength efficiency of welded joints recovered 84-98% of the substrate. It was found that the arc was compressed and stabilized by the laser beam during the hybrid welding. The compressed extent of arc column increased with laser power, and the process stability could be improved by increasing laser power and arc current or slowing welding speed. The arc stabilized mechanism in laser-MIG hybrid welding of Mg alloys was summarized in two factors. First, the laser keyhole fixes the arc root and improves the igniting ability of the arc. Second, the electromagnetic force is downward and increased by the laser-arc interaction, which prevents the overheating of the droplet and smoothes droplet transfer from the wire to the weld pool.     

Microstructural evolution and tensile mechanical properties of thixoformed AZ91D magnesium alloy with the addition of yttrium

The microstructure evolution of AZ91D magnesium alloy in the semi-solid state has been proposed or reported in previous literature. However, no detailed investigation has been conducted regarding the relationship between the microstructure and tensile mechanical properties of the thixoformed AZ91D magnesium alloy. In this paper, the microstructure of AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium was produced by the semi-solid thermal transformation (SSTT) route and the strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) route, respectively. Isothermal holding experiments investigated grain coarsening and the degree of spheroidization as a function of holding time in the semi-solid state. The SSTT route and the SIMA route were used to obtain the semi-solid feedstock for thixoforming. The results show that solid particles of the SSTT alloy are spheroidized to some extent but the previous irregular shape is still obvious in some of them. While the SIMA alloy exhibits ideal, fine microstructure, in which completely spheroidized solid particles contain little entrapped liquid. The microstructure of the SSTT alloy is less spheroidized compared with the SIMA alloy under the similar isothermal holding condition. As the holding time increases, the mean solid particle size of the SSTT alloy decreases initially, then increases, while the mean solid particle size of the SIMA alloy increases monotonously at 560 °C. Compared with the SSTT alloy, the SIMA alloy obtains finer grains under the similar isothermal holding condition. The mechanical properties of the thixoformed AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium produced by the SIMA route are better than those of the thixoformed alloy produced by the SSTT route. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation for the thixoformed alloy produced by the SIMA route are 303.1 MPa, 147.6 MPa and 13.27%, respectively. The tensile properties for the AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium thixoformed from starting material produced by the SIMA route are better than those of the AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium thixoformed from starting material produced by the SSTT route.     

Electroless Ni-Sn-P coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy and its corrosion resistance

An electroless Ni-Sn-P coating was deposited on AZ91D magnesium alloy in an alkaline-citrate-based bath where nickel sulphate and sodium stannate were used as metal ion sources and sodium hypophosphite was used as a reducing agent. The phase structure of the coating was amorphous. SEM and attached EDS observation revealed the presence of dense and uniform nodules in the ternary coating and the content of tin was 2.48wt.%. Both the electrochemical analysis and the immersion test in 10% HCl solution proved that the ternary Ni-Sn-P coating exhibited better corrosion resistance than the Ni-P coating in protecting the magnesium alloy substrate.