Corrosion behavior of magnesium and magnesium alloys

The automotive industry has crossed the threshold from using magnesium alloys in interior applications such as instrument panels and steering wheels to unprotected environment such as oil pan, cylinder head and wheels. The expanding territory of magnesium leads to new challenges.mainly environmental degradation of the alloys used and how they can be protected. The present critical review is aimed at understanding the corrosion behavior of magnesium and magnesium alloys in industrial and marine environments, and the effect of microstructure, additive elements and inhibitors on the corrosion mechanism.     

Review of studies on corrosion of magnesium alloys

This review provided some recent progress of the research on corrosion mechanisms of magnesium and its alloys and a basis for follow-on research. Galvanic corrosion, pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion （IGC）, filiform corrosion, crevice corrosion, stress corrosion cracking （SCC）, and corrosion fatigue （CF） were discussed. The influence of metallurgical factors such as alloying elements, microstructure and secondary phases, processing factors such as heat treatment and weld, and environmental factors including temperature, relative humidity, solution pH values and concentration on corrosion were discussed. In particular, a mechanism of pitting corrosion caused by AlMn particles was proposed. The corrosion properties of AZ91D weld material were investigated.     

As-cast microstructure of Mg-Al-Zn magnesium alloys

The research achievements on as-cast microstructure in Mg-Al-Zn alloy were summarized. Under permanent mould cast condition, there are four kinds of primary compounds with distinct crystallographic morphology, Mg17Al12（y）, Mg32（Al,Zn）49 （r）, MgZn （e） and a temary icosahedral quasi-crystalline compound （Q）. Accordingly, Mg-Al-Zn alloy can be grouped into γ-,τ-, ε- and Q-type alloy by each characteristic compound. The volume fi＇action of γ-Mg17Al12 in commercial γ-type alloy increases with increasing AI content. MgZn and MgxAlyZnz temary complex compounds emerge with the change of the element content Al and Zn and Zn/Al concentration ratio. A practical phase diagram showing microstructure constituent change with composition was proposed. The addition of micro-alloying elements Y and Sr results in not only obvious refinement of eutectic cluster but also eutectic morphological change fi＇om block to granule.     

Preparation of nanoparticles of magnesium hydroxide from bittern

Mg（OH）2 nano-particles with fiber-like morphology were prepared by chemical precipitation process, with the bittern from Qinghai Salt Lakes used as Mg^2＋ raw material and ammonia water as precipitator. The influence of aging procedure on the Mg（OH）2 crystal was investigated by TEM and crystalline size calculation. The Mg（OH）2 nano-particles were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and TG-DTA methods. The results indicate that the Mg（OH）2 nano-particles with perfect crystal are obtained after aging procedure above 50 ℃, and the grain size increases with increasing aging temperature and prolonging aging time. Mg（OH）2 particles with fiber-like morphology, 20-60 nm in diameter and 300-500 nm in length are observed, Mg（OH）2 will decompose into MgO at temperature range 347-623℃.     

On the precipitation of magnesium silicide in irradiated aluminium–magnesium alloys

Thermal neutron irradiation of aluminium or its alloys causes the production of silicon by transmutation. In aluminium–magnesium alloys, the transmutation-produced silicon reacts with magnesium and forms small precipitates. The precipitation in irradiated Al–Mg alloys is similar to the early stage of aging in thermally treated Al–Mg–Si alloys. This study evidences the simultaneous generation of two crystallographically different precipitate types. On the basis of electron diffraction patterns, unit cell parameters are derived and compared with structures found in thermally aged alloys. One of the two precipitate types has an Mg₂Si composition, while the other is an Al–Si–Mg intermetallic compound with high aluminium and silicon but low magnesium content. The formation of magnesium poor precipitates is important since it indicates that the threshold neutron fluence for grain boundary precipitation of silicon may be much higher than estimated in the past.     

Preparation and characterization of porous magnesium materials

The proper spacer material and the preparation technology for biological compatible porous magnesium materials were explored by the powder metallurgy method, and microstructures, porosity and mechanical properties of sintered porous magnesium were investigated. The results show that compared with spacer materials of NH4CO3, NH3Cl and carbamide, NI-I4CO3 is the best one for preparation of sintered porous magnesium, and the worst one is NH3Cl. The isolated blind pores are formed mainly by the particle interval of the magnesium powders. Adding spacer material favors the formation of open pores, while has little contribution to the formation of blind pores. The overall porosity and porosity of open pore of the sintered porous magnesium increase with the increase of added spacer material, while decrease with the increase of the molding stress. The mechanical properties of sintered porous magnesium increase with decreasing addition of spacer material and increasing molding stress.     

Preparation of semi-solid billet of magnesium alloy and its thixoforming

Preparation of semi-solid billet of magnesium alloy and thixoforming was investigated by applying equal channel angularextrusion to magnesium alloy.The results show that mechanical properties of AZ91D alloy at room temperature,such as yieldstrength(YS),ultimate tensile strength(UTS)and elongation,are enhanced greatly by four-pass equal channel angularextrusion(ECAE)at 573 K and microstructure of AZ91D alloy is refined to the average grain size of 20μm.Through using ECAE asstrain induced step in SIMA and completing melt activated step by semi-solid isothermal treatment,semi-solid billet with finespheroidal grains of 25μm can be prepared successfully.Compared with common SIMA,thixoformed satellite angle framecomponents using semi-solid billet prepared by new SIMA have higher mechanical properties at room temperature and hightemperature of 373 K.     

Effects of processing parameters on microstructure of semi-solid magnesium alloy

In this paper, the effects of pouring temperature of magnesium melt, preheating temperature of the barrel of the screw mixer, and shear rate on the solidified microstructures of semi-solid slurry were investigated by a mechanical stirring semi-solid process. The appropriate processing parameters of slurry preparation were obtained, and the mold filling ability of semi-solid slurry for thin-walled casting was examined. Results indicate that the solid volume fraction of non-dendritic microstructure increases with a decrease in pouring temperature of magnesium melt and the barrel preheating temperature of the screw mixer. Also the grain size of primary α-phase is reduced. Furthermore, the solid volume fraction of semi-solid nondendritic structure decreases with an increase of shear rate. The fine and round granular microstructure with 30～50 μm in size of semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy was presented. Finally, a 1.0 mm thin-walled casting with a clear contour and good soundness was successfully made by semi-solid rheo-diecasting.     

Effects of magnesium content on phase constituents of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys

1 Introduction The heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si-Cu(6000 series) alloys used as automotive body sheet materials are being brought to practical use more and more in North American and Europe, and becoming optimal materials caused by mass reduction of automotive …     

Purifying effect of new flux on magnesium alloy

1　INTRODUCTIONAsoneofthelighteststructurematerials ,mag nesiumalloysofferlightmass(ρ<2 g·cm- 3) ,specif icstrength (higherthanthatofthealuminumalloysandsteels) ,specificstiffness ,excellentmachinabili ty ,superiordampingandmagneticshieldingcapaci ties,whichleadstoagrowinginterestinmagnesiumanditsalloys .Inrecentyears ,magnesiumalloyshavebeenwidelyusedinaviation ,spaceflight,automobileandelectronicsindustries[1] .Since 1990 stheirappli cationhassteadilyextendedanditispredictedthatitwill…     

Purification technology of AZ91 magnesium alloy wastes

1　INTRODUCTIONBecausemagnesiumalloyhastheadvantagesoflowdensity ,highspecificstrengthandrigidity ,ex cellentdampingeffect,goodtolerancetoimpact ,ex cellentmachinabilityandpolishingability[1,2 ] ,itiswidelyusedinthefieldsofautomobilemanufactur ing ,aviationandspaceflight,communication ,opticinstrumentsandcomputermanufacturing[35] .How ever ,theyieldofmagnesiumalloyislowinthepro ductionofdiecasting .Atpresent ,theutilizationra tiocanonlybeabout 30 % 5 0 % .Intheprocessofdiecasting ,alargeq…     

Variation of hydrogen level in magnesium alloy melt

M agnesium alloy is one of the lightest metals used in industry. It offers numerous merits in physical, mechanical and casting properties: high specific strength and stiffness, good castability suitable for high pressure die casting, low density, high damping capacity, good thermal and electrical conductivity etc. [1] However, microporosity in the castings reduces mechanical properties [2-4] such as ultimate strength, yield strength, ductility and fatigue resistance. There are mainly two viewp…     

Creep of aluminium–magnesium open cell foam

Aluminium–5 wt.% magnesium open cell foam produced by replication and tested in tension at 300, 350 or 450 °C creeps at rates between 10^?3 and 10^?8 s^?1. The behaviour of the foam matches that of the alloy from which it is made: three-power law creep with the same activation energy as for Al–Mg alloy creeping by viscous dislocation glide in the high stress regime and five-power law creep in the low stress regime. The model of Mueller et al. [Mueller R, Soubielle S, Goodall R, Diologent F, Mortensen A. Scripta Mater 2007;57:33], itself a simplified adaptation of previous variational estimates, predicts well the measured foam creep rates, in terms of both absolute value and dependence on temperature and applied stress. Agreement with the model of Andrews et al. [Andrews EW, Gibson LJ, Ashby MF. Acta Mater 1999;47:2853] is somewhat inferior, but nonetheless satisfactory. A strong dependence of creep rate on relative density is found; this feature is also captured by the variational estimate.     

Dynamic recrystallization behavior of AZ61 magnesium alloy

An AZ61 alloy was subjected to hot compression at temperatures ranging from 523 K to 673 K, with strain rates of 0. 001 - 1 s^-1. Flow softening occurs at all temperatures and strain rates. There are peak and plateau stresses on flow curves. The initiation and evolution of dynamic recrystallization（DRX） were studied by the flow softening mechanism based on the flow curves and microstructural observations. A linear relationship was established between the logarithmic value of the critical strain for DRX initiation（lnεc） and the logarithmic value of the Zener-Hollomon parameter （lnZ）. The volume fraction of DRX grain （φd） is formulated as a function of the process parameters including strain rate, temperature, and strain. The calculated values of φd agree well with the values extracted from the flow curves. The size of DRX grain（d） was also formulated as a function of the Zener- Hollomon parameter. This study suggests that DRX behavior of AZ61 can be predicated from plastic process parameters.     

Friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy

Friction stir welding (FSW) is an new solid-phase joining technology which has more advantages over fusion welding methods in welding of aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. The effects of welding parameters on mechanical properties and microstructure during friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy were studied in this paper. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated by means of optical microscopy, scanning electric microscopy ( SEM ) , micro-hardness analysis, and tensile test. Experimental results show that the magnesium alloy can be successfully welded by FSW method, and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of FSW joint reaches up to 90 percent of base metal. The microstructures of welded joints exhibit the variation from dynamically recrystallized fine grains to greatly deformed grains. Hardness in nugget zone was found lower than the base metal but not too obvious.     

Mechanical properties and potential applications of magnesium alloys

1　INTRODUCTIONDuringthefirsthalfofthetwentiethcentury ,magnesiumalloyswereusedextensivelyincivilianandmilitaryaircraftcomponents.TheneglectofmagnesiumalloysafterworldwarⅡwasrepresentedbytheslumpoftheproductionfrom 2 2 8.8kt/ain194 4to 10kt/aafterWorldWarⅡ .Themostsig nificantapplicationofmagnesiumalloysinthesecondhalfofthetwentiethcenturywasinproductionofair cooledenginesandgearboxesforVolkswagenBeetle ,whichledtheautomobileindustrytomakeavolun tarycommitmenttoachieve 30 %CO2 emissio…     

Heat transfer characteristics of lost foam casting process of magnesium alloy

1 Introduction The growing demand for mass reduction in aerospace and automotive industries has greatly increased the magnesium application. Currently, casting is the main industrial forming method for magnesium alloys, but the lag of research and develop…     

Evaluation of sliding wear behavior of graphite particle-containing magnesium alloy composites

1 Introduction More and more magnesium alloy products have been used in automobile and aerospace industries due to their low density, high specific strength and specific stiffness, good damping characteristic, excellent machineability and castability, etc…     

Coating of magnesium powder by rapid expansion of supercritical solution method

In order to solve the reserve stability problem of pyrotechnic explosives containing magnesium powder, a coating method named rapid expansion of supercritical fluid is studied. Continuous coating film of paraffin can be formed on the surface of magnesium powder when paraffin content is about 1.5%. Humidity resistance property of the coated magnesium is promoted obviously. The flame sensitivity of the coated magnesium is 4.8% lower than that of the original magnesium powder after mixed with oxidant. The burning velocity of the coated magnesium is 4.7% lower than that of the contrastive sample. This method may be used to enhance the＇reserve stability problem of pyrotechnic explosives and the safety of magnesium powder modifying process.     

Effect of magnetostatic field on microstructure of magnesium alloy ZK60

1　INTRODUCTIONNonferrousmaterialshavedisplayedmoreandmoreimportantrolesinthe 2 0 st century .Amongthesenonferrousmaterials ,magnesiumalloyisoneofthelightest practicalmaterial,butmagnesiumisametalwithastrongelectronegativity .Itsstandardelectricpotentialis - 2 .36 3V ,anditserosionresis tanceisnotgood .Becauseoftheoxidizationduringrefining ,deformationandapplication ,theadvantagesofmagnesiumalloysandtheirapplicationislimited .Asthedevelopmentoftherefiningtechnologyandad vancedformationte…