Effects of Er on the microstructure and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy prepared via the EMS process

The effects of small amounts of the rare-earth element erbium on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy via the electromagnetic stirring(EMS) process have been studied.It has been shown that AZ31-Er alloys are mainly composed of α-Mg solid solution and β-Mg17Al12 phases.When the Er content reaches 0.12 wt.%,the characteristic peaks of Al2Er can be observed.The micro-structure is obviously refined and the tensile strength of the AZ31-based alloy at ambient temperature is significantly improved by contents of 0.03 wt.% Er,especially the elongation(δ=19%).More addition of Er obviously decreases the tensile strength and elongation of the AZ31-based alloy because of the grain coarsening and the reduction of β-Mg17Al12 phases.     

Development of new magnesium based alloys and their nanocomposites

In the present study, 1 and 2 wt.% of aluminum were successfully incorporated into magnesium based AZ31 alloy to develop new AZ41 and AZ51 alloys using the technique of disintegrated melt deposition. AZ41-Al₂O₃ and AZ51-Al₂O₃ nanocomposites were also successfully synthesized through the simultaneous addition of aluminum (1 and 2 wt.%, respectively) and 1.5 vol.% nano-sized alumina into AZ31 magnesium following same route. Alloy and composite samples were then subsequently hot extruded at 400 °C and characterized. Microstructural characterization studies revealed equiaxed grain structure, reasonably uniform distribution of particulate and intermetallics in the matrix and minimal porosity. Physical properties characterization revealed that addition of both aluminum and nano-sized alumina reduced the coefficient of thermal expansion of monolithic AZ31. The presence of both Al and nano-sized Al₂O₃ particles also assisted in improving overall mechanical properties including microhardness, engineering and specific tensile strengths, ductility and work of fracture. The results suggest that these alloys and nanocomposites have significant potential in diverse engineering applications when compared to magnesium AZ31 alloy.     

Mechanical Properties of Squeeze-Cast A356 Composites Reinforced With B4C Particulates

In this study, different volume fractions of B₄C particles were incorporated into the aluminum alloy by a mechanical stirrer, and squeeze-cast A356 matrix composites reinforced with B₄C particles were fabricated. Microstructural characterization revealed that the B₄C particles were distributed among the dendrite branches, leaving the dendrite branches as particle-free regions in the material. It also showed that the grain size of aluminum composite is smaller than that of monolithic aluminum. X-ray diffraction studies also confirmed the existence of boron carbide and some other reaction products such as AlB₂ and Al₃BC in the composite samples. It was observed that the amount of porosity increases with increasing volume fraction of composites. The porosity level increased, since the contact surface area was increased. Tensile behavior and the hardness values of the unreinforced alloy and composites were evaluated. The strain-hardening behavior and elongation to fracture of the composite materials appeared very different from those of the unreinforced Al alloy. It was noted that the elastic constant, strain-hardening and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the MMCs are higher than those of the unreinforced Al alloy and increase with increasing B₄C content. The elongation to fracture of the composite materials was found very low, and no necking phenomenon was observed before fracture. The tensile fracture surface of the composite samples was indicative of particle cracking, interface debonding, and deformation constraint in the matrix and revealed the brittle mode of fracture.     

Effect of Gd on microstructure and stress corrosion cracking of the AZ91-extruded magnesium alloy

AZ91 and AZ91–xGd (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 wt%) magnesium alloys are extruded into plates. The addition of Gd promotes the formation of Al₂Gd, effectively reducing the volume fraction of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase and making the banded structures of the extruded magnesium alloys thinner. The corrosion weight loss tests and electrochemistry analyses demonstrate that Gd significantly improves the pitting resistance of the AZ91 in 3.5-wt% NaCl solution saturated with Mg(OH)₂. Slow strain rate tensile tests show that in a corrosive environment, compared with AZ91, the elongation to failure of the AZ91–1.0Gd alloy is increased by 47%, and the alloy exhibits excellent stress corrosion resistance in this study. The fracture mode of AZ91 is changed from typical intergranular fracture to a mixture of transgranular and intergranular fracture in the corrosion solution by adding Gd. The mechanism of Gd to improve the stress corrosion resistance of the AZ91 magnesium alloy is that Gd increases the corrosion resistance, especially the pitting of AZ91.     

Mg/Al脉冲加压扩散连接接头显微组织及力学性能

采用脉冲加压扩散连接工艺,实现了AZ31镁合金与5083铝合金的连接.借助扫描电镜、EDS、X射线衍射仪和显微硬度计等手段对接头的显微组织及力学性能进行了研究.结果表明,接头有镁合金基体、冶金反应层、扩散层和铝合金基体组成.焊缝中形成了Mg₂Al₃,AlMg和Al_0.56Mg_0.44金属间化合物.接头最高硬度值达3300 MPa.随着保温扩散时间的延长,接头的抗拉强度出现了先升高后降低的现象,最高接头强度达46 MPa,在断口中发现了部分韧窝,断口属于韧性和准解理混合断口.在镁合金和铝合金两侧,硬度变化区域出现不对称现象.     

析出相对AZ91镁合金热轧板组织及边裂行为的影响

采用光学显微镜(OM)、配有能谱(EDS)的场发射扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、室温拉伸试验等研究了析出相对AZ91镁合金在不同变形量和道次轧制后的微观组织、变形机制及边裂行为的影响。结果表明:对铸态AZ91镁合金而言,小压下量、多道次轧制可减少边部裂纹的产生,提高轧制成形能力;在轧制变形过程中,析出相由片层状向球状颗粒转变,且粒度更小,球状颗粒状第二相在轧制变形过程中可以通过促进孪晶细化和动态再结晶,从而有利于抑制裂纹的萌生;热轧后室温拉伸断口呈现较强的沿晶断裂特征,微裂纹主要分布在Mg/Mg_(17)Al_(12)相界面结合处及较粗大的第二相附近。在拉伸变形过程中,球状析出相颗粒可能成为微裂纹萌生的源头之一,微裂纹进一步扩展并形成宏观裂纹。     

挤压态AZ31镁合金的疲劳行为研究

通过外加总应变幅控制的疲劳试验和断口形貌分析,确定了挤压态AZ31镁合金的循环应力响应行为、循环变形行为、疲劳寿命行为和疲劳断裂机制。结果表明,在外加总应变幅控制的疲劳加载条件下,挤压态AZ31镁合金呈现明显的循环应变硬化现象和拉-压不对称循环变形现象,其弹性应变幅、塑性应变幅与断裂时的载荷反向周次之间的关系可分别用Basquin和Coffin-Manson公式来描述,断口上的疲劳裂纹的萌生和扩展均以穿晶模式进行。     

Effect of nano-sized Al2O3 reinforcing particles on uniaxial and high cycle fatigue behaviors of hot-forged AZ31B magnesium alloy

The effect of hot-forging process was investigated on microstructural and mechanical properties of AZ31B alloy and AZ31B/1.5vol.%Al₂O₃ nanocomposite under static and cycling loading. The as-cast alloy and composite were firstly subjected to a homogenization heat treatment at 450 °C and then an open-die forging at 450 °C. The results indicated that the presence of reinforcing particles led to grain refinement and improvement of dynamic recrystallization. The forging process was more effective to eliminate the porosity in the cast alloy workpiece. Microhardness of the forged composite was increased by up to 80% and 16%, in comparison with those of the cast and forged alloy samples, respectively. Ultimate tensile strength and maximum tensile strain of the composite were improved by up to 45% and 23%, compared with those of the forged alloy in similar regions. These enhancements were respectively 50% and 37% in the compression test. The composite exhibited a fatigue life improvement in the region with low applied strain; however, a degradation was observed in the high applied strain region. Unlike AZ31B samples, tensile, compressive and high cycle fatigue behaviors of the composite showed less sensitivity to the applied strain, which can be attributed to the amount of porosity in the samples before and after the hot-forging.     

Microstructure,Tensile and Fatigue Properties of Al–5 wt.%Mg Alloy Manufactured by Twin Roll Strip Casting

This study investigated the microstructure, tensile and fatigue properties of Al–5 wt.%Mg alloy manufactured by twin roll strip casting. Strips cast as a fabricated (F) specimen and a specimen heat treated (O) at 400 °C/5 h were produced and compared. In the F specimen, microstructural observation discovered clustered precipitates in the center area, while in the O specimen precipitates were relatively more evenly distributed. Al, Al₆(Mn, Fe), Mg₂Al₃ and Mg₂Si phases were observed. However, most of the Mg₂Al₃ phase in the heat-treated O specimen was dissolved. A room temperature tensile test measured yield strength of 177.7 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 286.1 MPa and elongation of 11.1% in the F specimen and 167.7 MPa (YS), 301.5 MPa (UTS) and 24.6% (EL) in the O specimen. A high cycle fatigue test measured a fatigue limit of 145 MPa in the F specimen and 165 MPa in the O specimen, and the O specimen achieved greater fatigue properties in all fatigue stress conditions. The tensile and fatigue fracture surfaces of the above-mentioned specimens were observed, and this study attempted to investigate the tensile and fatigue deformation behavior of strip cast Al–5 wt.%Mg based on the findings.     

AZ31镁合金及其TIG焊接接头断裂机理研究

对AZ31镁合金及其焊接接头进行拉伸、冲击和疲劳试验,分析了镁合金的断裂机理及疲劳裂纹扩展方向.母材拉伸试验结果表明,试样几乎没有缩颈,抗拉强度为236.29 MPa;焊接接头的抗拉强度为185.68 MPa,拉伸断裂从焊接接头焊趾部位启裂,抗拉强度为母材的78%.冲击试验在-80～340 ℃进行,结果表明,在较低温度下AZ31镁合金冲击韧性较小,断口为准解理形貌的脆性断裂;随着温度的增加,断裂形式由准解理+韧窝形貌的混合断裂过渡为韧性断裂;在常温下焊缝中心的冲击韧性比母材的高,但热影响区的冲击韧性较差.AZ31B镁合金母材的疲劳强度为66.72 MPa,对接接头的疲劳强度为39.00 MPa;母材疲劳断口由解理台阶组成,为脆性断裂;焊接接头疲劳断口由解理和准解理台阶组成,为脆性断裂.     

The Effect of Ca Content on the Microstructure,Hardness and Tensile Properties of AZ81 Mg Cast Alloy

The effects of various Ca contents (0.1-4 wt.%) on the microstructure and tensile properties of AZ81 magnesium alloy were investigated with the contribution of an analytical method. Ca addition (up to 1.0 wt.%) refined the alloy microstructure but further addition of Ca resulted in a coarse structure and introduced large dendrites within the grains. The changes in the microstructures revealed that Al₄Ca, Al₂Ca, τ-Mg₃₂(A1,Zn)₄₉ and ε-MgZn intermetallics are formed in the alloy as a result of Ca addition and Al consumption. The assessment of tensile properties of AZ81-1.0 wt.%Ca alloy showed the optimum values of yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, while AZ81-0.7 wt.%Ca alloy showed maximum elongation. The reduction in tensile properties of the cast alloy by the addition of more Ca was attributed to grain coarsening and evolution of a network of intermetallic compounds. FF study of tensile fractured surfaces indicated that Ca addition encourages brittle mode of fracture propagating through precipitated intermetallics in the structure.     

Effect of Carbon Nanotube on High-Temperature Formability of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Room-temperature tensile properties of AZ31 alloy have significantly been improved when reinforced with carbon nanotube via ingot metallurgy process. However, high-temperature (up to 250 °C) elongation-to-failure tensile test of the developed nanocomposite revealed a considerable softening in the AZ31 alloy matrix accompanied by an incredible ductility increment (up to 132%). Microstructural characterization of the fractured samples revealed that the dynamic recrystallization process has induced a complete recrystallization in the AZ31 alloy at a lower temperature (150 °C) followed by substantial grain growth at a higher temperature used in this study. Fractography on the fractured surfaces revealed that the room-temperature mixed brittle-ductile modes of fracture behavior of AZ31 alloy have transformed into a complete ductile mode of fracture at high temperature.     

AZ91镁合金的挤压和析出硬化行为(英文)

挤压比为4:1,将铸态AZ91镁合金分别在250,300和350℃下进行挤压,随后进行析出硬化处理(T6)。经过热挤压和析出硬化处理后,铸态AZ91镁合金中粗大的和偏析Mg17Al12析出相被细化并均匀分布在α-镁基体中。在不同的挤压温度下合金中发生了部分或全部动态再结晶。经挤压后,该合金的极限抗拉强度从铸态的190MPa增加到570MPa。AZ91镁合金的时效硬化特征与晶粒尺寸有关。在250、300和350℃下以4:1的挤压比挤压该合金后,获得峰值硬度的时效时间分别为35、30和20h。SEM观察到在AZ91基体中存在均匀细小的Mg17Al12析出相。     

Effects of SiC Volume Fraction and Particle Size on the Deposition Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Cold-Sprayed AZ91D/SiCp Composite Coatings

AZ91D/SiC_p composite coatings were fabricated on AZ31 magnesium alloy substrates using cold spraying. The effects of SiC volume fraction and particle size on the deposition behavior, microhardness, and bonding strength of coatings were studied. The mean sizes of SiC particles tested were 4, 14, and 27 μm. The results show that fine SiC particles (d _0.5 = 4 μm) are difficult to be deposited due to the bow shock effect. The volume fraction of SiC particles in composite coatings increases with the increasing SiC particle size. The microhardness and bonding strength of composite coatings also show increases compared with AZ91D coatings. The volume fractions of SiC particles in the original powder were set at 15, 30, 45, and 60 vol.%. The corresponding contents in composite coatings are increased to 19, 27, 37, and 51 vol.%, respectively. The microhardness of composite coatings also increases as the volume fraction of SiC particles increases.     

Enhanced corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy developed by ultrasonic-assisted friction stir processing

In this study, ultrasonic-assisted friction stir processing (UaFSP) and friction stir processing (FSP) were conducted on AZ91 magnesium alloy sheets, and their microstructure, corrosion behavior, and mechanical properties were comparatively investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, open-circuit potential, and potentiodynamic polarization were used to study the corrosion behavior of the material. Electrochemical measurements reveal that employing UaFSP, the corrosion rate of the AZ91 magnesium alloy was significantly reduced where lower corrosion current density for UaFSP specimens was obtained (2.09 µA/cm²) compared with 3.42 µA/cm² for the FSP and 6.82 µA/cm² for the base metal. This is mainly attributed to the alteration of morphology and better distribution of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase during UaFSP. By using ultrasonic vibration in FSP, a finer grain structure was obtained, which improved the tensile strength and hardness of the AZ91 Mg alloy.     

Development of a Binary Zn-Based Solder Alloy for Joining Wrought Magnesium Alloy AZ31B

In the present article, the wrought magnesium alloy AZ31B sheets were soldered by means of high-frequency induction heating device using a novel binary Zn-based solder alloy in argon gas shield condition. The interfacial microstructure, phase constitution, and fracture morphology of the soldered joint were studied. The microhardness and shear strength of the soldered joint were tested. The experimental results exhibit that α-Mg solid solution and γ-MgZn phase were formed in soldering region. Moreover, the β-Mg₇Zn₃ phase in the original Zn-based solder alloy disappeared completely after the soldering process due to the fierce alloying between the molten binary Zn-based solder alloy and the base metal AZ31B during soldering. Test results show that the shear strength of the soldered joint is 28 MPa. The fracture morphology of the soldered joint displays an intergranular fracture mode, and the crack originates from α-Mg + γ-MgZn eutectoid structure. The interaction between the molten Zn-based solder alloy and the base metal AZ31B leads the Zn-based solder alloy to be transformed into Mg-based soldering metal during soldering.     

Dry Sliding Wear Properties of AZ31-Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si Magnesium Matrix Composites

AZ31-Mg₂Si in situ composites were prepared from AZ31 Mg alloy and Si particles by a gravity casting method. Several parameters, such as Si content, normal load, and environmental temperature, were varied in order to study their effects on the composite dry sliding wear properties. Tensile properties and hardness of the composites were also investigated. The obtained results showed that the wear resistance, yield strength, and hardness of the AZ31-Mg₂Si composites increased with size and quantity of the Mg₂Si phase. However, when the environmental temperature increased from 25 to 190 °C, the composite wear resistance and ultimate tensile strength gradually decreased due to softening of the AZ31 matrix.     

Distribution of TiB2 reinforcements in magnesium matrix composites by a multi-physical coupling field

TiB₂/AZ31 magnesium matrix composites were prepared under the separate effects of an electromagnetic field, ultrasound and of both in combination. The electromagnetic field appeared to expand the zone of ultrasonic action, resulting in fine grained and more uniform microstructure with a more homogeneous distribution of the reinforcing TiB₂ particle clusters in the magnesium alloy matrix. Subsequent hot-rolling further improved the microstructural homogeneity. The resulting TiB₂/AZ31 composite sheets exhibited excellent overall mechanical properties, with an ultimate tensile strength of 350 MPa and a tensile ductility approaching 8%.     

Cold metal transfer welding–brazing of magnesium to pure copper

Magnesium alloy AZ31B and pure copper T2 were lapped and joined by cold metal transfer (CMT) welding–brazing method by AZ61A magnesium alloy wire with a 1·2 mm diameter. Results indicated that a satisfied Mg/Cu CMT welding–brazing joint was obtained in the stable welding processes with no spatter. The joint was composed of Mg–Mg welding joint formed between the Mg weld metal and the Mg base metal, and Mg–Cu brazing joint formed between the Mg weld metal and the local molten Cu base metal. The microstructure and the intermetallic compound (IMC) distribution were inspected and analysed in detail. The interfacial reaction layers of the brazing joint consisted of Mg₂Cu, Al₆Cu₄Mg₅, MgCu₂ and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ IMCs. The tensile shear strength of the Mg/Cu CMT welding–brazing joint could reach 172·5 N mm^?1. In addition, two different fracture modes were observed: at the fusion zone and at the brazing interface.     

压铸镁合金AZ91D高周疲劳性能研究

研究了压铸镁合金AZ91D在应力比R=0．1条件下的高周疲劳性能。结果表明：AZ91D压铸镁合金的室温条件疲劳强度在应力比R=0．1时大约相当于其抗拉强度的44％；AZ91D合金内部的一些缺陷如夹杂等，容易引起应力集中，从而导致裂纹的萌生；AZ91D合金的疲劳断口可以观察到3个典型区域：疲劳源区、疲劳裂纹扩展区和瞬断区。疲劳裂纹扩展区的疲劳裂纹不明显，疲劳断口呈现出准解理断口的形貌。