Effects of holding temperature and time on semi-solid isothermal heat-treated microstructure of ZA84 magnesium alloy

The feasibility of fabricating ZA84 magnesium alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by a semi-solid isothermal heat treatment process and the effects of holding temperature and time on the semi-solid isothermal heat-treated microstructure of the alloy were investigated. The results indicate that it is possible to produce ZA84 alloy with non-dendritic microstructure by suitable semi-solid isothermal heat treatment. After being treated at 560-575℃ for 120min, ZA84 magnesium alloy can obtain a non-dendritic microstructure with 14.2%-25.6% liquid fraction and an average size of 56-65μm of the unmelted primary solid particles. With the increasing holding time from 30 to 120min or holding temperature from 560 to 575℃, the average size of unmelted primary solid particles decreases and globular tendency becomes more obvious. Under the experimental condition, the microstructural evolution of ZA84 alloy during semi-solid isothermal treatment is mainly composed of three stages of initial coarsening. structulseparation and spheroidization. The subsequent coarsening of spheroidal grains is not observed.     

Effects of trace Cr on as-cast microstructure and microstructural evolution of semi-solid isothermal heat treatment ZC61 magnesium alloy

The content and kind of trace elements in magnesium alloys have important effects on their ascast and semi-solid microstructures. In this research work, effects of trace Cr on as-cast and semi-solid microstructures of ZC61 magnesium alloy were investigated by metal mold casting and semi-solid isothermal heat treatment. The results show that the addition of Cr can refine the α-Mg phase without generating a new phase, noticeably change the eutectic phase, and decrease the average size of solid particles at the same isothermal heat treatment conditions. Non-dendritic microstructures of all alloys are constituted of α_1-Mg phases, α_2-Mg phases and eutectic phases after water quenching. With isothermal temperature increased or holding time prolonged, the eutectic microstructure(α-Mg+MgZn_2+CuMgZn) at the grain boundaries in as-cast alloy is melted preferentially and then turned into semi-solid non-dendritic microstructure by processes of initial coarsening, microstructure separation, spheroidizing and final coarsening. Especially when the ZC61-0.1 Cr alloy was treated at 585 ℃ for 30 min, the ideal non-dendritic microstructure can be obtained, and the corresponding solid particle size and shape factor were 37.5 μm and 1.33, respectively. The coarsening process of solid α-Mg phase at higher temperature or longer time, which is affected by both combining growth and Ostwald ripening mechanism, is refrained when Cr is added to the ZC61 alloy.     

Effect of La addition on semi-solid microstructure evolution of Mg-7Zn magnesium alloy

Semi-solid billets of Mg-7Zn and Mg-7Zn-0.3La alloys were prepared by semi-solid isothermal heat treatment. The effects of the La element on the as-cast and semi-solid microstructures of Mg-7Zn alloy were investigated. Meanwhile, the effects of isothermal temperature and holding time on the evolution of the semi-solid microstructure of Mg-7Zn-0.3La alloy were also studied. Results indicate that the addition of a small amount of La can significantly refine the as-cast and semi-solid microstructure. During the semi-solid thermal transformation, the size and shape factor of solid particles decrease at first and then increase with the increase of isothermal temperature and holding time. The semi-solid microstructure of Mg-7Zn-0.3La alloy obtained by holding at 605 °C for 30 min is the optimal. The average size of solid particles, shape factor, and solid fraction are 42 µm, 1.45 and 61.8%, respectively. At the same time, a comparative study on the coarsening process of particles in the semi-solid billets of Mg-7Zn and Mg-7Zn-0.3La alloys reveals that the addition of La effectively decreases the coarsening rate of solid particles and restricts the growth of solid particles.

     

半固态等温处理对Cu-Ca合金组织的影响

通过对比Cu-Ca合金铸态组织,研究了半固态等温处理主要工艺参数对半固态Cu-Ca合金组织的影响,得出了其半固态组织的演变规律。结果表明,在半固态等温处理工艺参数中,影响组织的主要参数为等温温度和保温时间。在一定选择范围内,随着等温温度的升高和保温时间的延长,组织将发生由树枝晶组织到非枝晶组织的一系列转变。研究发现,保温温度为957～967℃,等温时间为45～60min时,合金的球化效果最好,圆整度最高。     

Microstructure evolution of semi-solid SiCp/AZ91D nanocomposite during isothermal heat treatment process

ABSTRACT

The microstructure evolution of semi-solid SiC_p/AZ91D nanocomposite during isothermal heat treatment process in the mushy-zone was investigated. The results indicate that the nano-size SiC particles in composite are distributed uniformly and the grains are refined significantly by the addition of nano-size SiC particles. The semi-solid microstructure evolution experiences four stages during isothermal heat treatment process: the initial coarsening, structural separation, spheroidization and final coarsening. The grain size of the primary α-Mg phase decreases with the increasing of holding temperature. With the prolongation of holding time, the grain size of the primary α-Mg phase decreases at first and then increases. The optimum isothermal heat treatment parameter is 575℃ for 30min, under which the average grain diameter is 58μm and shape factor is 1.25.     

Microstructure Evolution of Semi-Solid 7075 Aluminum Alloy During Reheating Process

Microstructural evolution of semi-solid 7075 Al alloy manufactured by strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process was investigated. The effects of different processing parameters, such as isothermal temperature and holding time on the semi-solid microstructures (the liquid volume fraction, average grain size, and degree of spheroidization of the solid particles) during partial remelting have been investigated on 7075 Al alloy that was extruded by an extrusion ratio of 20 before remelting. Experiments of remelting were carried out in the range of 560-610 °C for 10, 20, and 30 min holding time and then the specimens were quenched in cold water. Microstructure of quenched samples were observed under optical microscope and then analyzed via image analysis. The results showed that high semi-solid isothermal temperature would increase the liquid volume fraction and accelerate the spherical processing of the solid particles. Furthermore at long holding time, the globular grains coarsened slightly and the average grains size are increased. The experimental results showed that the optimum process parameters, should be chosen at isothermal temperature of 580 °C with the holding time, <30 min.     

Microstructure evolution of semi-solid Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloys during isothermal heat treatment

A new Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy that exhibits a wide solidification range and sufficient fluidity for semi-solid forming was designed.And the microstructure evolution of semi-solid Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy during isothermal heat treatment was investigated. The mechanism of the microstructure evolution and the processing conditions for isothermal heat treatment were also discussed.The results show that the microstructures of cast alloys consist ofα-Mg,β-Mg17Al12 and a small amount of Al-Mn compounds.After holding at 520℃ for 3 min,the phases ofβ-Mg17Al12 and eutectic mixtures in the Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy melt and the microstructures ofα-Mg change from developed dendrites to irregular solid particles.With increasing the isothermal time,the amount of liquid increases,and the solid particles grow large and become spherical.When the holding time lasts for 20 min or even longer,the solid and liquid phases achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium.     

等温热处理工艺参数对Mg-8%Al-1%Si合金半固态显微组织的影响(英文)

采用等温热处理工艺制备具有半固态显微组织的Mg-8%Al-1%Si合金,研究等温热处理工艺参数(等温温度和等温时间)对Mg-8%Al-1%Si合金显微组织的影响。结果表明:通过等温热处理工艺可以得到具有非枝晶组织的Mg-8%Al-1%Si合金。随着等温温度从560°C升高至575°C或等温时间从5min延长至30min,半固态组织中的液相体积分数增加,α-Mg晶粒尺寸变大并且其球化趋势明显。此外,在半固态组织中的共晶Mg2Si相从汉字状转变成为颗粒状。研究等温热处理Mg-8%Al-1%Si合金中的共晶Mg2Si相的形貌转变机制。     

等温热处理对AZ91D+Ce镁合金半固态组织的影响

研究了等温热处理对AZ91D+Ce镁合金半固态组织的影响,获得了较理想的球状或类球状晶粒组织。结果表明,在等温热处理的过程中,加入稀土Ce会阻碍原子向固相粒子聚集和结合,抑制固相颗粒的长大,形成细小圆整的半固态组织。随等温热处理温度的升高,原子活动能力增强,熔化速度加快,液相量增加,固相颗粒尺寸先减小后增大。在等温初始阶段,熔化对初生固相颗粒尺寸起决定作用,使得颗粒尺寸减小。但是,随等温时间的进一步增加,由于合并粗化和Ostwald熟化的作用,固相颗粒开始长大。     

保温时间对过共晶ZL117合金半固态浆料组织的影响

论述了ZL117合金半固态浆料制备后保温时间对浆料性质的影响。试验结果表明，随着保温时间的延长，ZL117合金半固态浆料的固相率变化不大；浆料中初生Si的平均颗粒度呈明显增加的趋势；浆料中的初生相的形状在15mi。内随时间的变化而变得越来越尖锐，15min后随着初生Si的聚集，初生Si的形状变化不是很明显。     

等温处理对Al-7Si-4Cu合金组织和硬度的影响

研究了铸造Al-7Si-4Cu合金在半固态等温处理过程中组织、性能的变化。结果表明,通过调整等温处理时间、温度不仅可以改善铸造铝硅铜合金的组织,而且提高了合金的力学性能。在一定的冷却速率下,适当延长等温处理时间、提高等温处理温度有利于硅相的圆整化、细化。在半固态温度下进行保温,当保温时间为5min时,可获得弥散相,保温温度高,弥散相多;延长保温时间至10min,未发现弥散相析出,而硅相圆整、细小,分布均匀,弥散相多,合金硬度就高。     

Semi-solid processing of hypereutectic A390 alloys using novel rheoforming process

The feasibility of semi solid processing of hypereutectic A390 alloys using a novel rheoforming process was investigated. A combination of the swirl enthalpy equilibration device (SEED) process, isothermal holding using insulation and addition of solid alloy during swirling was introduced as a novel method to improve the processability of semi solid slurry. The effects of isothermal holding and the addition of solid alloy on the temperature gradient between the centre and the wall and on the formation of α(Al) particles were examined. In additional tests, phosphorus and strontium were added to the molten metal to refine the primary and eutectic silicon structure to facilitate semi solid processing. The results show that the combination of the SEED process with two additional processing steps can produce semi-solid A390 alloys that can be rheoprocessed. The microstructure reveals an adequate amount of non-dendritic α(Al) globules surrounded by liquid, which greatly improves the processability of semi-solid slurry.     

Microstructure evolution of semi-solid Mg- 14A1-0.5Mn alloys during isothermal heat treatment

A new Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy that exhibits a wide solidification range and sufficient fluidity for semi-solid forming was designed. And the rnicrostructure evolution of semi-solid Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy during isothermal heat treatment was investigated. The mechanism of the microstructure evolution and the processing conditions for isothermal heat treatment were also discussed. The results show that the microstructures of cast alloys consist of α-Mg,β-Mg17Al12 and a small amount of Al-Mn compounds. After holding at 520 ℃ for 3 min, the phases of β-Mg17Al12 and eutectic mixtures in the Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy melt and the microstructures of α-Mg change from developed dendrites to irregular solid particles. With increasing the isothermal time, the amount of liquid increases, and the solid particles grow large and become spherical. When the holding time lasts for 20 min or even longer, the solid and liquid phases achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium.     

添加0.5%富铈混合稀土AZ91D镁合金半固态组织的形成

半固态浆料的固相颗粒尺寸、形态和分布主要取决于熔化过程中液相的形成与演化过程。采用添加0.5%富铈混合稀土来改善AZ91D镁合金的铸态组织,研究在半固态等温热处理中的组织演变以及非枝晶组织制备与控制的机理。结果表明:稀土合金化处理可促进初生相在等温热处理过程中由枝晶向粒状晶的转变,可获得更加细小、均匀的球状固相颗粒,并且其粗化速度较慢。半固态等温热处理过程中,整个系统处于熔化和结晶的动态平衡,铸态组织中枝晶根部高溶质浓度区或系统的温度、浓度起伏是固相颗粒内液相形成的内在和外在条件。     

等温热处理对Mg-Gd-Zn-Zr合金半固态组织的影响

选择稍高于共晶反应温度作为等温热处理温度,对铸态Mg-15Gd-2Zn-0.6Zr合金进行等温热处理,获得了半固态球化组织。研究了热处理温度和保温时间对半固态组织的影响,探讨了半固态组织演变机制及适用于低温等温热处理的半固态Mg-Gd-Zn-Zr合金成分设计。结果表明,液相组织具有低的温度敏感性,其组织演变主要机制为α-Mg表面熔化和α-Mg动态再析出,而固相颗粒球化机制为:α-Mg树枝晶→枝晶臂粗化→枝晶臂合并、不规则多边形化→球化。     

自孕育法制备AZ31镁合金半固态流变成形组织(英文)

采用新型自孕育流变铸造技术对变形镁合金半固态组织进行控制。该工艺过程为将合金熔体与一定量的合金固体颗粒(自孕育剂)混合,然后将混合金属通过一个多流股导流器浇入铸型或收集器。结果表明:采用自孕育工艺,合金熔体处理温度690~710℃,孕育剂的加入量为3%~7%时能有效将AZ31镁合金传统铸造中的粗大枝晶组织转变为细小、近球状的非枝晶组织;当合金熔体处理温度较高时,增加孕育剂的加入量或减小导流器的倾斜角度有利于获得非枝晶组织。自孕育工艺制备的AZ31镁合金半固态浆料在620℃等温保温30s后能有效改善初生α-Mg颗粒的圆整度;延长保温时间有助于减小颗粒的圆整度,但同时颗粒发生粗化。利用Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner(LSW)理论对初生相颗粒在等温保温过程中的组织圆整、粗化过程进行了分析。     

热压制工艺回收AZ91D镁合金屑的半固态组织演变(英文)

以从机械加工现场直接收集的AZ91D镁合金屑料为原料,采用热压制工艺再生制备半固态加工所需的坯料,研究二次加热过程中的半固态组织演变。结果表明,半固态组织演变可分为三个阶段:Mg17Al12相的溶解和Al原子的扩散,高溶质含量区域的熔化和固相颗粒的生成,固相颗粒的球化和长大。同时,在固相颗粒内部形成大量的嵌入式液滴。这种嵌入式液滴的数量和尺寸随着保温时间的变化而变化。随着保温时间的延长,固、液两相最终达到动态平衡,固相率不再发生变化。由于界面能降低和界面张力的作用使固相颗粒尺寸逐渐增大,并且越来越圆整。