Effect of Neodymium on As-Cast Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ31 Wrought Alloy

Nd in the form of powder or intermediate alloy was added to AZ31 wrought alloy. The as-obtained alloy was characterized and tested with respect to its microstructure and mechanical properties. The relationship between the microstructure,mechanical properties and tensile fracture mechanism were discussed, with relevant alloys as reference for comparison. Experimental results show that the same quantity of Nd was added into AZ31 in powder form or in intermediate alloy, the absorption rate of Nd reached only 10.8% for the former case and as high as 95% for the later case. Pure Nd powder was added, no new compound was detected, but it served as reductant and purified alloy melt, resulting in improving the tensile strength while Nd was added into AZ31 as Mg-Nd intermediate alloy. The compound Al2Nd and Mg12Nd were formed in magnesium alloy, which were distributed in the matrix in the shapes of strip and particle, evidently refined the as-cast structure. The as-cast tensile strength (228 MPa) of adding pure Nd powder approximated to the figure (245 MPa) of adding Mg-Nd intermediate alloy. The tensile fracture mechanism of as-cast AZ31 transformed from cleavage fracture into quasi-cleavage fracture.

Effects of P and B addition on as-cast microstructure and homogenization parameter of Inconel 718 alloy

The effects of phosphorus and boron addition on the as-cast microstructure and homogenization parameters of Inconel 718 were studied. The results indicate that the addition of phosphorus and boron promotes the formation of blocky Laves phase. Due to the strong segregation behavior of boron in the final residual liquid, a low melting B-bearing phase enriched in Nb, Mo and Cr is observed. According to the differential scanning calorimeter results and electron probe micro-analysis characterization, the solidification sequence of Inconel 718 with phosphorus and boron addition in best combination is determined as L→L＋γ→L＋γ＋MC→L＋γ＋MC＋Laves→γ＋MC＋Laves＋MC＋Laves＋B-bearing phase. Accordingly, the homogenization temperature is recommended to be adjusted at least 40°C lower than that of standard Inconel 718 due to the existence of low melting B-bearing phase.

Effects of yttrium and strontium additions on as-cast microstructure of Mg-14Li-1Al alloys

Mg-14Li-1Al （LA141）, LA141-0.3Y, LA141-0.3Sr, and LA141-0.3Y-0.3Sr alloys were prepared in an induction furnace in the argon atmosphere. The microstructures of these alloys were investigated through scanning electron microscope （SEM）, X-ray diffractometer （XRD） and energy dispersive spectrometer （EDS）. The results show that yttrium and/or strontium additions produce a strong grain refining effect in LA141 alloy. The mean grain sizes of the alloys with addition of Y and/or Sr are reduced remarkably from 600 to 500, 260, 230 μm, respectively. Al 2 Y, Al 4 Sr and Mg 17 Sr 2 phases with different morphologies are verified and exist inside the grain or at the grain boundaries, thus possibly act as heterogeneous nucleation sites and pin up grain boundaries, which restrain the grain growth.

As-cast microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-4Zn-x Y-1Ca(x=1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0) magnesium alloys

The as-cast microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg?4Zn?xY?1Ca (x=1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0, mass fraction, %) alloys were investigated and compared. The results indicate that all the as-cast alloys are mainly composed ofα-Mg, Mg2Ca, Ca2Mg6Zn3,I (Mg3YZn6) andW (Mg3Y2Zn3) phases. However, with Y content increasing from 0.86% to 2.68%, the amount of the Ca2Mg6Zn3 phase gradually decreases but that of theI (Mg3YZn6) andW (Mg3Y2Zn3) phases gradually increases. Furthermore, an increase in Y content from 0.86% to 2.68% also causes the grain size of the as-cast alloys to gradually decrease. In addition, the tensile and creep properties of the as-cast alloys vary with Y content. Namely, with Y content increasing from 0.86% to 2.68%, the creep properties gradually increase, whereas the tensile properties firstly increase and attain the maximum at 1.77% Y, beyond that they decrease. Amongst the as-cast alloys with 0.86% Y, 1.19% Y, 1.77% Y and 2.68% Y, the alloy with 1.77% Y exhibits the relatively optimal tensile and creep properties.

As-Cast Microstructures of High Entropy Alloys Designed to Be TaC-Strengthened

In this work two new alloys were obtained by extrapolation from a well-known high entropy alloy,the equimolar CoNiFeMnCr one.This was done by the addition of carbon and of tantalum,Ta being one of the strongest MC-former elements.They were produced by conventional casting under inert atmosphere.The obtained microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction,metallography,electron microscopy,and energy dispersion spectrometry.Their hardness was also measured by hardness indentation.In parallel,the original CoNiFeMnCr alloy was also synthesized and characterized for comparison.The reference HEA alloy is single-phased with an austenitic structure,while the two{Ta,C}-added alloys are double-phased,with an austenitic matrix and interdendritic script-like TaC carbides.The matrixes of these HEA/TaC alloy are equivalent to an equimolar CoNiFeMnCr alloy to which 2 wt.%Ta is present in solid solution.The presence of the TaC carbides caused a significant increase in hardness which suggests that the HEA/TaC alloys may be mechanically stronger than the HEA reference alloy at high temperature.

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 low-frequency electromagnetic field on the as-cast microstructure of a new super high strength aluminum alloy by horizontal continuous casting

The super high strength aluminum alloy ingots with 100 mm in diameter were cast by the process of low-frequency electromagnetic horizontal continuous casting (LFEHC) and the effect of electromagnetic field on the as-cast microstructure was studied. Results show that microstructure of the sample prepared by the LFEHC process was greatly refined. Microstructures at the border and the center of the ingots were fine, uniform and rosette-shaped. Electromagnetic frequency plays a key role in microstructure refining. Fine and uniform microstructures can be obtained with optimal electromagnetic frequency. In this experiment, under a frequency of 30 Hz the microstructure was the finest and the most uniform.

EVOLUTION OF AS-CAST MICROSTRUCTURES OF 356 ALUMINIUM ALLOY CAST BY LIQUIDUS CASTING

A new method (liquidus casting) was used for 356 Al alloy semi-solid slurry making. The structures of 356 Al alloy cast by a Fe mould and semi-continuous casting machine at different temperatures were investigated. How the globular grains form was also discussed. The results show that either being cast by single Fe mould or semi-continuous machine, the micro structures are not conventional dendrites but fine and net-globular grains. The average gram size is smaller than 30μm and suitable enough for thixoforming, meanwhile it can improve the mechanical properties of following products. Under the suitable casting velocity and cooling intensity, most of global grains prolong their global growth and collide with each other before dendritic growth because of the large amount of the nucleation sites.

Effect of Ca addition on the as-cast microstructure and creep properties of Mg-5Zn-5Sn magnesium alloy

The effect of Ca addition on the as-cast micmstructure and creep properties of Mg-5Zn-5Sn magnesium alloy was investigated. The results indicate that adding 1.0 wt.% Ca to Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy can effectively refine the as-cast microstructure of the alloy, and the CaMgSn phase with high thermal stability is formed in the alloy. In addition, adding 1.0 wt.% Ca to Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy can also improve the creep properties of the alloy. After adding 1.0 wt.% Ca to Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy, the second creep rate of the alloy at 150℃ and 50 MPa for 100 h decreases from 4.67 ×10^-8 to 1.43 × 10^-8 s^-1. The strengthening mechanism is mainly attributed to the microstructural refinement and the formation of CaMgSn phase.

Review of grain ref inement methods for as-cast microstructure of magnesium alloy

As the lightest structural metal,Mg and Mg-based alloys have great potential applications in the aerospace,automotive and nuclear industries.However,such applications have been limited by low ductility and strength.Theoretically,small grain sized structure can synchronously improve its ductility and strength.Yet,universally reliable grain ref inement techniques for the magnesium alloys are still under investigation and some are in strong debating.This paper presents a brief review of development of grain ref inement methods for magnesium alloys,which would contribute to a better understanding of the factors controlling grain ref inement and provide an outlook of future research in this fi eld.

As-cast microstructures and solidification paths of the Nb–Si–Ti ternary alloys in Nb_5Si_3–Ti_5Si_3region

Abstract The as-cast microstructures and solidification paths of the Nb-Si-Ti ternary alloys in the NbsSi3-TisSi3 region were investigated. Since there exist some isomor- phous compounds in the NbsSi3-TisSi3 region, such as aNbsSi3 with B3Cr5 prototype, 13NbsSi3 with Si3W5 pro- totype, 7NbsSi3 with MnsSi3 prototype, and TisSi3 with MnsSi3 prototype, the primary solidification areas of these compounds were not typically indentified in previous experiments. In the present paper, the microstructure observation, the phase identification, and the composition measurement were performed using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and electron probe microanalysis （EPMA）, respectively. No ternary compound is found. There exist three primary solidification areas, 13Nbs_x（Ti）xSi3, ~Nbs_x（Ti）xSi3, and Tis-x（Nb）xSi3 in the NbsSi3-TisSi3 region. Together with the literaturereported experimental data and optimization results, the liquidus projection of the whole Nb-Si-Ti ternary system is constructed, and totally ten primary solidification areas-- diamond-Si, Nb1-x（Ti）xSi2, Ti1-x（Nb）xSi2, Ti1-x（Nb）xSi, Ti5-x（Nb）xSi4, βNb5-x（Ti）xSi3,αNb5-x（Ti）xSi3, Ti5-x （Nb）xSi3, （Nb,Ti）3Si, and BCC--and nine transitional invariant reactions-L ＋ Nb1-x（Ti）xSi2 → Ti1-x（Nb）x Si2 ＋ Si, L ＋ Nb1-x（Ti）xSi2 → Ti1-x（Nb）xSi2 ＋ Ti5- （Nb）xSi4, L ＋ Ti5-x（Nb）xSi4 → Ti1-x（Nb）xSi2 ＋ Ti1-x （Nb）xSi, L ＋ 13Nb5-x（Ti）5Si3→ Nb1-x（Ti）xSi2 ＋ Ti5-x （Nb）xSi4, L ＋ βNb5-x（Ti）xSi3→b5-x（Ti）xSi3 ＋Ti5-x （Nb）xSi4, L ＋ αNb5-x（Ti）αSi3 → Ti5-x（Nb）xSi3 ＋ Ti5-x（Nb）x Si4, L ＋ αNb5-x（Ti）xSi3 →βNb5-x（Ti）xSi3 ＋ Ti5-x（Nb）xSi3, L ＋ βNb5-xTb-xSi3 → Ti5-x（Nb）xSi3 ＋ （Nb,Ti）3Si, and L ＋ （Nb,Ti）3Si → Ti5-x（Nb）xSi3 ＋ BCC are confirmed.

Effect of Manganese on As-Cast Microstructure and Hardening Behavior of High Chromium White Cast Iron

The effect of manganese on the as-cast structure and hardening behavior of high chromium white cast iron subjected to sub-critical treatment was studied.The results indicate that the fraction of retained austenite and the manganese distribution in as-cast alloys are controlled by manganese content.The manganese distribution in as-cast alloys is not homogeneous.The manganese content in carbide is higher than that in matrix.Whether the secondary hardening occurs or not and the peak hardness of secondary hardening is controlled by manganese content in retained austenite in as-cast structure.Higher manganese content can cause more retained austenite.The secondary hardening occurs in sub-critical treating process if the fraction of retained austenite is high.

Effect of cooling rates on as-cast microstructures of Mg-9Al-xSi(x=1,3) alloys

The effects of cooling rates corresponding to different diameters of the steel mould and laser surface melting(LSM)on the as-cast microstructures of Mg-9Al-xSi(x=1,3)(mass fraction,%)alloys were investigated by XRD and OM.The results show that obvious refinement of the alloy microstructure is obtained with increasing cooling rate by conventional ingot metallurgy.However, no evident modified morphologies of both dendritic primary Mg2Si and Chinese script eutectic Mg2Si in the Mg-Al-Si alloy occurs. Surprisingly,the morphologies of Mg2Si phases within the laser-melted Mg-Al-Si alloy transform drastically from both coarse Chinese script shape for the eutectic Mg2Si and dendrite for the primary Mg2Si to fine spherical particles with an average size of about 3μm due to the rapid cooling of the melted layer,and the Mg2Si particulates distribute more uniformly in theα-Mg matrix.

Effects of calcium addition on as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy

The effects of Ca addition on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-5Zn-5Sn (mass fraction,%) alloy were investigated.The results indicate that an addition of 0.5%-1.5% (mass fraction) Ca to the Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy not only refines the as-cast microstructure of the alloy but also causes the formation of the primary and/or eutectic CaMgSn phases with high thermal stability;an increase in Ca amount from 0.5% to 1.5% (mass fraction) increases the amount and size of the CaMgSn phase.In addition,Ca addition to the Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy improves not only the tensile properties at room temperature and 150 ℃ but also the creep properties.Among the Ca-containing Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloys,the one added 0.5% (mass fraction) Ca obtains the optimum ultimate tensile strength and elongation at room temperature and 150 ℃,however,the alloy added 1.5% (mass fraction) Ca exhibits the optimum yield strength and creep properties.

Effect of potassium on as-cast microstructure of a hypereutectic high chromium cast iron

The present work mainly evaluates the effect of potassium （K） on as-cast microstructure of a hypereutectic high chromium cast iron by means of a field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM） and an X-ray diffractometer using CuKa radiation with a 2θ range of 30-130°. Results showed that, with the addition of K-containing modifier, the large lath-like and/or rod-like primary M7C3 carbides can be modified to the hexagonal prisms, and the eutectic carbides can also be refined. In addition, the carbides are distributed much more homogeneously in the matrix. The modification effect of K is due to its aggregation at the liquid-solid interface and the adsorption on the relatively fast growing planes during the solidification, which influence the growth rates of different crystal planes and lead to the modification of the carbides.

As-cast microstructure and properties of non-equal atomic ratio TiZrTaNbSn high-entropy alloys

High-entropy alloys have been proved to be potential candidate materials in the biomedical field due to their balanced mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility.The effects of atomic ratios on the as-cast microstructural evolution,mechanical properties,and electrochemical property of TiZrTaNbSn high-entropy alloys were studied systematically.The crystal structure of TiZrTaNbSn high-entropy alloys is single BCC phase,and the microstructural evolution is based on atomic ratio.The dendric structure,peritectic structure,pseudo eutectic and equiaxed grain,which are associated with element segregation,can be obtained by non-equal atomic ratio.Ti_(30)Zr_(20)Ta_(20)Nb_(20)Sn_(10)alloy demonstrates a high compressive strength and fracture strain,which are 2,571.8 MPa and 12%,respectively,and the fracture behavior is quasicleavage faults.The Ti_(45)Zr_(35)Ta_(5)Nb_(5)Sn_(10),Ti_(30)Zr_(20)Ta_(20)Nb_(20)Sn_(10)and Ti_(35)Zr_(25)Ta_(15)Nb_(15)Sn_(10)alloys show excellent corrosion resistance according to Nyquist diagram,polarization curves and corrosion morphology.Compared with TiZrTaNbSn alloy,the corrosion rate of Ti_(45)Zr_(35)Ta_(5)Nb_(5)Sn_(10) alloy increases by about 98.9%.It can be concluded that non-equal atomic ratios are effective for microstructure control and performance optimization.

Effects of Zn content on as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xZn-4Al alloys containing TiC and rare earth elements

The effects of Zn content on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xZn-4Al alloys containing TiC and rare earth elements were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and tensile test. The results show that Zn content which increased from 8% to 12% does not obviously influence on the alloy phase type of the Mg-xZn-4Al experimental alloys containing 0.25%RE and l%TiC, but with Zn content increasing from 8% to 12%, the amount of Mg32(Al,Zn)49 phase in the as-cast microstructure of the experimental alloys increases and its distribution becomes more continuous. In addition, the Mg-10Zn-4Al alloy containing 0.25%RE and 1TiC has the highest ultimate tensile strength at room temperature and 150℃and highest yield strength and elongation at 150℃. Furthermore, with Zn content increasing from 8% to 12%, the yield strength and elongation of Mg-xZn-4A1 experimental alloys containing 0.25%RE and 1%TiC increase and decrease at room temperature, respectively.

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(γ),Mg32(Al,Zn)49 (τ), MgZn (ε) and a ternary icosahedral quasi-crystalline compound (Q). Accordingly, Mg-Al-Zn alloy can be grouped intoγ-,τ-,ε- and Q-rype alloy by each characteristic compound. The volume fraction ofγ-Mg17Al12 in commercialγ-type alloy increases with increasing Al content. MgZn and MgxAlyZnz ternary 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 from block to granule.

Effects of electromagnetic field intensity on as-cast microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy

Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr ingots with diameter of 200 mm were made by low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and conventional direct chill (DC) casting process. The results show that under the low frequency electromagnetic field (25 Hz, 32 mT) the microstructures of LFEC ingot from the border to the center on the cross section are all equiaxed grains, and the grains are much finer and more uniform than that of DC ingot. The magnetic flux density plays an important role in the microstructure formation of LFEC ingots. With increasing the magnetic flux density from 0 mT to 32 mT, grains become finer (from about 120 urn to 30 urn) and more uniform. While, with increasing the magnetic flux density from 32 mT to 46 mT, the grains change much slowly. In the range of experimental parameters, the optimum magnetic flux density for LFEC process is found to be 32 mT.

Microstructures,corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-6Zn-2X(Fe/Cu/Ni)alloys for plugging tool applications

Mg-6Zn-2X(Fe/Cu/Ni)alloys were prepared through semi-continuous casting,with the aim of identifying a degradable magnesium(Mg)alloy suitable for use in fracturing balls.A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the impacts of adding Cu and Ni,which result in finer grains and the formation of galvanic corrosion sites.Scanner electronic microscopy examination revealed that precipitated phases concentrated at grain boundaries,forming a semi-continuous network structure that facilitated corrosion penetration in Mg-6Zn-2Cu and Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloys.Pitting corrosion was observed in Mg-6Zn-2Fe,while galvanic corrosion was identified as the primary mechanism in Mg-6Zn-2Cu and Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloys.Among the tests,the Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloy exhibited the highest corrosion rate(approximately 932.9 mm/a)due to its significant potential difference.Mechanical testing showed that Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloy possessed suitable ultimate compressive strength,making it a potential candidate material for degradable fracturing balls,effectively addressing the challenges of balancing strength and degradation rate in fracturing applications.