Mechanism of microarc oxidation on AZ91D Mg alloy induced byβ-Mg_(17)Al_(12) phase

This work proposed a strategy of indirectly inducing uniform microarc discharge by controlling the content and distribution ofβ-Mg_(17)Al_(12)phase in AZ91D Mg alloy.Two kinds of nano-particles(ZrO_(2)and TiO_(2))were designed to be added into the substrate of Mg alloy by friction stir processing(FSP).Then,Mg alloy sample designed with different precipitated morphology ofβ-Mg_(17)Al_(12)phase was treated by microarc oxidation(MAO)in Na_(3)PO_(4)/Na2SiO3electrolyte.The characteristics and performance of the MAO coating was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS),X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),contact angle meter,and potentiodynamic polarization.It was found that the coarseα-Mg grains in extruded AZ91D Mg alloy were refined by FSP,and theβ-Mg_(17)Al_(12)phase with reticular structure was broken and dispersed.The nano-ZrO_(2)particles were pinned at the grain boundary by FSP,which refined theα-Mg grain and promoted the precipitation ofβ-Mg_(17)Al_(12)phase in grains.It effectively inhibited the“cascade”phenomenon of microarcs,which induced the uniform distribution of discharge pores.The MAO coating on Zr-FSP sample had good wettability and corrosion resistance.However,TiO_(2)particles were hardly detected in the coating on TiFSP sample.

Effect of Adding Extruded Mg-Mischmetal Intermediate Alloy on Microstructure and Properties of Die-Casting Magnesium Alloy AZ91D

The preparation techniques of Mg-mischmetal intermediate alloy and the effects of the mischmetal addition ranging from 0.45% to 1.04% on the microstructure and properties of AZ91D alloy prepared by die casting were investigated. The Mg-MM intermediate alloy was prepared by permanent mold casting and then was extruded into the bars. The microstructure and analytical studies were carried out using optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Testing results shows the Mg-MM intermediate alloy could melt easily down at die casting temperature of 680 ℃ that was lower than the melting point of lanthanum (918 ℃) and that of cerium (798 ℃). This was propitious to protection the alloy from the oxidation at high temperatures. Then magnesium alloy test bars were produced under conventional cold chamber die casting condition with addition of different weight of the Mg-MM intermediate alloy. Observation and analysis indicated that the microstructures of the alloy were refined and RE containing Al phase was formed with increasing RE addition. The data obtained by tensile tests showed that alloying with mischmetal improved the tensile property of the AZ91D magnesium die casting alloy at ambient temperature.

Corrosion behavior of micro-arc oxidation coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy in NaCl solutions with different concentrations

Ceramic oxide coatings were prepared on AZ91D magnesium alloys in alkaline silicate solution using micro-arc oxidation（MAO） technique.The corrosion behavior of MAO coating on AZ91D magnesium alloys in NaCl solutions with different concentrations（0.1%,0.5%,1.0%,3.5% and 5.0% in mass fraction） was evaluated by electrochemical measurements and immersion tests.The results showed that the corrosion rate of the MAO coated AZ91D increased with increasing chloride ion concentration.The main form of corrosion failure was localized corrosion for the MAO coated AZ91D immersed in higher concentration NaCl solutions（1.0%,3.5% and 5.0%）,while it was general corrosion in dilute NaCl solutions（0.1% and 0.5%）.Two different stages of the failure process of the MAO coated AZ91D could be identified：1） occurrence of the metastable pits and 2） growth of the pits.Different equivalent circuits were also proposed based on the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy（EIS） for the MAO coated AZ91D immersed in different concentrations of NaCl solutions for 120 h.

Effect of current frequency on properties of coating formed by microarc oxidation on AZ91D magnesium alloy

The microarc oxidation（MAO） coatings produced at different current frequencies on AZ91 D magnesium alloys were studied systematically. The morphologies, thickness, corrosion performances, and tribological properties of the coatings were investigated by the scanning electron microscopy, the electrochemical measurement system, and MS-T3000 friction test rig, respectively. The results show that the structure of the coatings becomes denser, and thickness becomes thinner with the increase of the current frequency. It is also found that the corrosion resistance of the coatings produced at higher frequency is improved greatly and the difference of the corrosion current density becomes small with increasing current frequency, which is similar to that of the coating thickness. The tribological test shows that the friction coefficient decreases with increasing the current frequency and the wear resistance of the coatings is influenced by both the thickness and structures. All these results were explained by analyzing the growing process of the MAO coating.

Influence of electric parameters on MAO of AZ91D magnesium alloy using alternative square-wave power source

Micro-arc oxidation （MAO） process was carried out on AZ91D alloy in alkaline borate solution using an alternative square-wave power source with different parameters. The effects of voltage, frequency and duty cycle on the coatings were investigated by orthogonal experiment. It is found that the thickness of coatings increases with the increase of voltage and duty cycle, but decreases with the increase of frequency. The structure and morphology of the coatings also depend on voltage, frequency and duty cycle. The coatings become more porous and crack with increasing voltage and duty cycle. The coating is thin and transparent when the voltage is lower than 120 V. The corrosion resistances of different coatings were evaluated by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） in 3.5% NaCl （mass fraction） solution. When the optimized values of voltage, frequency and duty cycle are 140 V, 2 000 Hz and 0.4, respectively, the anodic coating shows the best corrosion resistance.

Application of cyclic upsetting-extrusion to semi-solid processing of AZ91D magnesium alloy

The microstructural evolution of AZ91D magnesium alloy prepared by means of the cyclic upsetting-extrusion and partial remelting was investigated. The effects of remelting temperature and holding time on microstructure of semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy were studied. Furthermore, tensile properties of thixoextruded AZ91D magnesium alloy components were determined. The results show that the cyclic upsetting-extrusion followed by partial remelting is effective in producing semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy for thixofonning. During the partial remelting, with the increase of remelting temperature and holding time, the solid grain size increases and the degree of spheroidization tends to be improved. The tensile mechanical properties of thixoextruded AZ91D magnesium alloy components produced by cyclic upsetting-extrusion and partial remelting are better than those of the same alloy produced by casting.

Effects of processing parameters on microstructure of semi-solid slurry of AZ91D magnesium alloy prepared by gas bubbling

The semi-solid slurry of AZ91 D magnesium alloy was prepared by gas bubbling process.The effect of processing parameters,including gas flow rate,cooling rate and stirring end temperature,on microstructure of AZ91 D semi-solid slurry was investigated.With increasing the gas flow rate from 0 to 5 L/min,the average size of primary α-Mg particles decreases from 119.1 to77.2μm and the average shape factor increases continuously from 0.1 to 0.596.The formation of non-dendritic primary α-Mg particles during gas bubbling is the result of combined effects of dendrite fragmentation and copious nucleation.With increasing the cooling rate from 3.6 to 14.6℃/min,the average particle size of primary α-Mg phase decreases from 105.0 to 68.1μm while the average shape factor peaks at 9.1℃/min.Both high and low cooling rates can induce dendritic growth of primary α-Mg particles.Changing the stirring end temperature from 590 to 595℃ has little effect on the average size and shape factor of primary α-Mg particles in AZ91 D semi-solid slurry.The insensitivity of semi-solid microstructures to the stirring end temperature is attributed to the sufficient quantity of primary particles formed in the melt.

Effects of on-line solution and off-line heat treatment on microstructure and hardness of die-cast AZ91D alloy

The effects of on-line solution, off-line solution and aging heat treatment on the microstructure and hardness of the die-cast AZ91D alloys were investigated. Brinell hardness of die-cast AZ91D alloy increases through on-line solution and off-line aging treatment but decreases after off-line solution treatment. By X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, it is found that the microstructures of the die-cast AZ91D magnesium alloy before and after on-line solution and off-line aging are similar, consisting of α-Mg and β-Al12Mg17. The precipitation of Al element is prevented by on-line solution so that the effect of solid solution strengthening is enhanced. The β-Al12Mg17 phases precipitate from supersaturated Mg solid solution after off-line aging treatment, and lead to microstructure refinement of AZ91D alloy, so the effect of precipitation hardening is enhanced. The β-Al12Mg17 phases dissolve in the substructure after off-line solution treatment, which leads to that the grain boundary strengthening phase is reduced significantly and the hardness of die cast AZ91D is reduced.

Low temperature mechanical property of AZ91D magnesium alloy fabricated by solid recycling process from recycled scraps

Low temperature mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy fabricated by solid recycling process from recycled scraps were studied. Various microstructural analyses were performed using optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The recycled specimens consist of fine grains due to dynamic recrystallization and the interfaces of original individual scraps are not identified. Tensile tests were performed at a strain rate of 5 x 10 3 s 1 at room temperature （27 ~C）, -70, -100 and 130 ~C, respectively. Ultimate tensile strength of the specimens increases slightly with decreasing the tensile temperature, and elongation to failure decreases with decreasing the tensile temperature. The tensile specimens at -130 ~C show the highest ultimate tensile strength of 360.65 MPa and the lowest elongation to failure of 5.46%. Impact tests were performed at room temperature （27 ~C）, -70 and -130 ~C, respectively. Impact toughness decreases with decreasing the impact temperature. The impact specimens at -130 ~C show the lowest impact toughness of 3.06 J/cm2.

Homogenization pretreatment and electroless Ni-P plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

Electroless nickel plating on AZ91D substrate with a new and eco-friendly pretreatment process based on tuning an electrochemical homogeneous surface was investigated. The morphology, deposition process, chemical composition and microstructure of Ni-P coating were studied. It is indicated that β phases are selectively removed, producing a microstructural homogeneous surface and the subsequent uniform and compact Zn immersion layer. A defect-free and well adhesive Ni-P coating can be successfully obtained due to its uniform nucleation and growth based on such pretreatment. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） tests reveal that Ni-P coating could significantly improve the corrosion resistance of AZ91D substrate.

Research on semi-solid thixoforming process of AZ91D magnesium alloy brackets for generators in JH70-type motorbikes

The investment on semi-solid die casting processes of AZ91D magnesium alloy brackets for generators in JH70-type motorbikes is introduced. The processes of low super-heat and cooling slope for the preparation of billets with non-dendritic microstructure, the remelting of billets for thixoforming and the parameters in the process of semi-sohd thixoforming have been researched. The results show that primary billets with non-dendritical structures can be prepared by forming great amount of nuclei in melt via the process of low super heat. By optimizing the remelting process through adjusting the current of the induced equipment, semi-solid billets with a structure of spherical grains were obtained from the primary billets with non-dendritical structure. The range of 580℃ to 583℃ is the proper remelting temperatures by which the billets have an expected thixotropy and can be transferred to a die-casting machine. The optimized parameters of semi-solid forming in a die-casting machine are as follows： the area of the ingate in the die is 383.5 mm^2, the speed of the pierce of the machine 5 m/s, the shot pressure of the pierce 75 MPa, and the maintenance pressure of the pierce 350 MPa. The castings of brackets for supporting generators in JH70 type motorbikes were formed by adopting the optimized processes and parameters mentioned above.

Improvement on the Corrosion Resistance of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy by Aluminum Diffusion Coating

By combination of magnetron sputtering deposition and vacuum annealing, an aluminum diffusion coating was prepared on the substrate of AZ91D alloy to improve its corrosion resistance. The microstructure and composition of the diffusion coating was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The diffusion coating was mainly comprised of β phase-Al12Mg17. The continuous immersion test in 3.5 wt pct neutral NaCl solution indicated that the specimen with diffusion coating had better corrosion resistance compared with the bare AZ91D alloy specimen. The potentiodynamic polarization measurement indicated that the diffusion coating could function as an effectively protective layer to reduce the corrosion rate of AZ91D alloy when exposed to 3.5 wt pct NaCl solution.

Evaluation of self-healing properties of inhibitor loaded nanoclay-based anticorrosive coatings on magnesium alloy AZ91D

This study emphasizes on the evaluation and comparison of the anticorrosive properties of sol-gel coatings with and without inhibitor loaded nanocontainers.In this case,naturally available clay nanotubes(halloysite)were loaded with cationic corrosion inhibitors Ce 3+/Zr 4+.These nanocontainers were dispersed in hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel matrix sol.Coating was applied on magnesium alloy AZ91D using the sols containing modified and unmodified nanocontainers employing the dip coating method and cured at 130℃for 1 h in air.Corrosion resistance of coated/uncoated substrates were analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,potentiodynamic polarization and weight loss measurements after exposure to 3.5 wt%NaCl solution for varying time durations between 24 h to 120 h.Self-healing ability of coatings was evaluated by micro-Raman spectroscopy after 120 h exposure to 3.5 wt%NaCl solution.Coatings generated after dispersion of corrosion inhibitor loaded clay in hybrid sol-gel matrix have shown more promising corrosion resistance when compared to just the sol-gel matrix coatings,after prolonged exposure to corrosive environment.

Effect of ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91-C magnesium alloy

The influence of ultrasonic vibrations on microstructure and mechanical properties of the AZ91-C magnesium alloy after ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding(UaFSW)in comparison with conventional friction stir welding(FSW)was investigated.The FSW was applied at the rotational speed of 1400 r/min and welding speed of 40 mm/min and no defects were observed.Using the same welding parameters,the process was carried out with inducing ultrasonic vibrations to the weld line at the amplitude of 15μm.The microstructure of the specimens was observed with optical and scanning electron microscopy.The results indicate that a very fine microstructure is obtained in UaFSW with respect to that of conventional FSW.Moreover,β-Mg17Al12 coarse dendrites are segregated to very fine and partly spherical particles that homogeneously distribute inα-Mg matrix.This remarkably-modified morphology of microstructure attributed to severe plastic deformation comes from ultrasonic vibration and friction stirring effect.Tensile and hardness tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the welds.According to the results,the vibration greatly improves the mechanical properties of the conventional FSW joint.The tensile strength and hardness are increased from 195 MPa and HV 79 in conventional FSW to 225 MPa and HV 87 in UaFSW,respectively.

Microstructure of Cu-based Amorphous Composite Coatings on AZ91D Magnesium Alloy by Laser Cladding

To improve the sliding wear resistance of AZ91D magnesium alloy, Cu-based amorphous composite coatings made of CuaTTi34Zr11Nis and Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8＋20 wt pct SiC powders were fabricated on AZ91D magnesium alloy by laser cladding, respectively. SEM （scanning electron microscopy）, EDS （energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy）, XRD （X-ray diffraction） and TEM （transmission electron microscopy） techniques were employed to study the phases of the coatings. The results show that the coatings mainly consist of amorphous phase and different intermetallic compounds. The reason of formation of amorphous phase and the function of SiC particles were explained in details.

Improvement of wear and corrosion resistance of AZ91 magnesium alloy by applying Ni-SiC nanocomposite coating via pulse electrodeposition

To improve the surface properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy, Ni-SiC nanocomposite coatings with various SiC contents were pulse electrodeposited in modified Watts baths containing SiC nano-particles with the concentration of 0-15 g/L. The morphology of the coatings was studied by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The SiC content of the coatings was measured by energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS） analyzer. Microhardness measurement of the coatings showed up to 600% enhancement for the sample produced from the bath with 15 g/L SiC. The corrosion behavior of the coated AZ91 alloy was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization method. The results reveal a significant improvement in the corrosion resistance, that is, the corrosion current density decreases from 0.13 mA/cm2 for uncoated specimen to 1.74x10-6 mA/cm2 for the sample coated from the bath containing 15 g/L SiC and the corrosion potential increases from -1.6 V for uncoated specimen to -0.31 V for the sample coated from the bath. The wear resistance of both coated and uncoated samples was evaluated by pin-on-disc tribotester. The results show that the wear volume loss of coated sample is 8 times less than the bare alloy.

Effect of extrusion ratio on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy recycled from scraps by hot extrusion

A method for recycling AZ91D magnesium alloy scraps directly by hot extrusion was studied.Various microstructural analyses were performed using the techniques of optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS).Microstructural observations revealed that all the recycled specimens consisted of fine grains due to the dynamic recrystallization.The main strengthening mechanism of the recycled specimen was grain refinement strengthening and homogeneous distribution of oxide precipitates.The interfaces of individual scraps of extruded materials were not identified when the scraps were extruded with the extrusion ratio of 40-1.Oxidation layers of the scraps were broken into pieces by high compressive and shear forces under the extrusion ratio of 40-1.The ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure increased with increasing the extrusion ratio.Recycled specimens with the extrusion ratio of 40:1 showed higher ultimate tensile strength of 342.61 MPa and higher elongation to failure of 11.32%,compared with those of the cast specimen.

Effect of Holding Time on Thixotropic Fluidity of Semi-solid AZ91D Magnesium Alloy

To investigate the thixotropic fluidities, microstructures and mechanical properties of semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy during reheating, a self-made die set with channels of different sizes were used. The results show that critical forming forces and maximal forming forces could be obtained and related to the holding times in the semi-solid forming process. In the holding time of 0-2700 s, with increasing the holding time, maximal forming force decreased sharply and critical forming force decreased slowly. In the whole thixotropic flowing process, the filling-in was steady and the surface fineness was good. The forming force increased when the slurry changed the flowing direction or flowed from the big-diameter chamber to the small-diameter one. The tensile strength and elongation to failure of the sample after holding time for 2700 s, compared to as-cast sample, are increased by approximately 42.7% and 180%, respectively, and the fractured surfaces presented dimple-like pattern.

Rheo-diecasting of AZ91D magnesium alloy by taper barrel rheomoulding process

A self-developed taper barrel rheomoulding(TBR)machine was introduced,and the rheo-diecasting process was implemented by combining TBR machine with the high pressure die casting(HPDC)machine.Microstructural characteristics of the rheo-diecasting components were investigated at different rotation speeds.Flow characteristics and microstructural evolution of the semi-solid slurry during the rheo-diecasting process were analyzed and the mechanical properties of the rheo-diecasting components were studied.The experimental results show that the process is able to obtain such components in which the primaryα-Mg particles are fine,nearly spherical and uniformly distributed in the matrix.When the rotation speed of internal taper barrel is 700 r/min,the primaryα-Mg particles get a mean diameter of about 45μm and a shape factor of about 0.81.The magnesium alloy melt has complex stirring-fixed flow characteristics when flowing in TBR machine.Compared with conventional die-casing process,the rheo-diecasting process can improve the mechanical properties of components;especially,the elongation is improved by 80%.

Wear and corrosion properties of laser cladded Cu_(47)Ti_(34)Zr_(11)Ni_8/SiC amorphous composite coatings on AZ91D magnesium alloy

To improve the wear and corrosion properties of AZ91D magnesium alloys,Cu-based amorphous composite coatings were fabricated on AZ91D magnesium alloy by laser cladding using mixed powders of Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 and SiC.The wear and corrosion behaviours of the coatings were investigated.The wear resistance of the coatings was evaluated under dry sliding wear condition at room temperature.The corrosion resistance of the coatings was tested in 3.5%(mass fraction) NaCl solution.The coatings exhibit excellent wear resistance due to the recombined action of amorphous phase and different intermetallic compounds.The main wear mechanisms of the coatings and the AZ91D sample are different.The former is abrasive wear and the latter is adhesive wear.The coatings compared with AZ91D magnesium alloy also exhibit good corrosion resistance because of the presence of the amorphous phase in the coatings.