RECIPROCATING EXTRUSION OF IN SITU Mg_2Si REINFORCED Mg-Al BASED COMPOSITE

M92Si reinforced Mg-Al based composite with high amount o/silicon was prepared by permanent mould casting, and then extruded by reciprocating extrusion （RE） after the composite was processed by homogenization heat treatment. The effect of RE processing on the morphology and size of M92Si and the mechanical properties of the com- posite were investigated, to develop new ways to refine the M928i phase and improve its shape. The result showed that RE was very useful in refining the M92Si phase. The more the RE processing passes, the better the refining effect would be. Moreover, the uniform distribution of M928i phases would be more in the composite. After the composite was processed by RE for 12 passes, most M92Si phases were equiaxed, with granular diameter below 20 μm, and distributed uniformly in the matrix of the composite. The mechanical properties of the composite could be increased prominently by RE processing, and were much higher than that in the as-cast state. As the temperature rises, the tensile strength is reduced. For the composite RE processed for 12 passes, the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are 325.9 MPa, 211.4 MPa, and 3.3% at room temperature, whereas, 288.2 MPa, ,207.7 MPa, and 7.8%, respectively, at 150℃. In comparison with the properties at room temperature, the tensile strength and yield strength are high and only decrease by 11.6% and 1.8% at 150℃. The M928i reinforced Mg-Al based composite possesses good heat resistance at 150℃. The excellent resistance to effect of heat is attributed to the high melting tempera- ture and good thermal stability of fine Mg2Si phases, which are distributed uniformly in the composite, and effectively hinder the grain boundary gliding and dislocation movement.

MICROSTRUCTURE OF Mg-6.4Zn-1.1Y ALLOY FABRICATED BY RAPID SOLIDIFICATION AND RECIPROCATING EXTRUSION

In order to explore the methods to prepare high-strength quasicrystal-reinforced magnesium alloys, the flakes of rapidly solidified Mg-6.4Zn-1.1 Y magnesium alloy with a thickness of 50-60μm were obtained by a melt spinning single-roller device, and the flakes were then processed into rods by reciprocating extrusion and direct extrusion. The microstructure of the alloy was analyzed by optical microscope and SEM, and the constituent phases were identified by XRD. Phase transformation and its onset temperature were determined by differential thermal analyzer （DTA）. The analysis result shows that rapid solidification for Mg-6.4Zn-I.IY alloy can inhibit the eutectic reactions, broaden the solid solubility of Zn in α-Mg solute solution, and impede the formation of Mg3 Y2Zn3 and MgZn2 compounds, and thus help the icosahedral Mg3 YZn6 quasicrystal formed directly from the melt. The microstructure of the flakes consists of the α-Mg solid solution and icosahedral Mg3 YZn6 quasicrystal. Dense rods can be made from the flakes by two-pass reciprocating extrusion and direct extrusion. The interfaces between flakes in the rods can be welded and jointed perfectly. During the reciprocating extrusion and direct extrusion process, more Mg3 YZn6 compounds are precipitated and distributed uniformly, whereas the rods possess fine microstructures inherited from rapidly solidified flakes. The rods contain only two phases： α- magnesium solid solution as matrix and fine icosahedral Mg3 YZn6 quasicrystal which disperses uniformly in the matrix.

High Strength, Ductility and Superplasticity Mg-6Zn-1Y-0.6Ce-0.6Zr Alloy Prepared by Rapid Solidification and Reciprocating Extrusion

High strength, ductility, and superplasticity Mg-6.0%Zn-1.0%Y-0.6%Ce-0.6%Zr（wt%） alloy was prepared by sequentially applying rapid solidification, extrusion, and reciprocating extrusion（REX）. The microstructure of the alloy after 2-pass REX consisted of fine grains smaller than 0.7 μm and nanometer strengthening particles. The refined grains resulted from recrystallization during which the nanometer particles played an important role in restrain grain growth. The mechanical properties of the material were investigated at room and elevated temperatures. High tensile yield strength of 336 MPa and elongation of 27% were obtained at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, the highest elongation of 270% was obtained at 250 ℃ and an initial strain rate of 3.3×10^-3 s^-1, and LTS and HSRS were achieved. The high strength, ductility, and superplasticity were attributed to the refined unique microstructure.

MICROSTRUCTURES AND PROPERTIES OF RECIPROCATINGLY EXTRUDED Mg-6.4Zn-1.1Y ALLOYS

An icosahedral Mg3 YZn6 quasicrystalline phase can be produced in Mg-Zn- Y system alloys when a proper amount of Zn and Y is contained, and it is feasible to prepare the quasicrystal phase-reinforced low-density magnesium alloy. In this article, phase constituents and the effect of reciprocating extrusion on microstructures and properties of the as-cast Mg-6.4Zn-1.1 Y alloy are analyzed. The microstructure of the as-cast Mg-6.4Zn-1.1 Y alloy consists of the α-Mg solid solution, icosahedral Mg3YZn6 quasicrystal, and Mg3 Y2Zn3 and MgZn2 compounds. After the alloy was reciprocatingly extruded for four passes, grains were refined, Mg3 Y2 Zn3 and MgZn2 phases dissolved into the matrix, whereas, Mg3 YZn6 precipitated and distributed uniformly. The alloy possesses the best performance at this state; the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are 323.4 MPa, 258.2 MPa, and 19.7%, respectively. In comparison with that of the as-cast alloy, the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the reciprocatingly extruded alloy increase by 258.3%, 397.5%, and 18 times, respectively. It is concluded that reciprocating extrusion can substantially improve the properties of the as-cast Mg-6.4Zn-1.1 Y alloy, particularly for elongation. The high performance of the Mg-6.4Zn-1.1 Y alloy after reciprocating extrusion can be attributed to dispersion strengthening and grain-refined microstructures.

Superplastic Behavior of Reciprocating Extruded Mg-6Zn-1Y-0.6Ce-0.6Zr from Rapidly Solidified Ribbons

RRE-Mg66 alloy with a composition of Mg-6.0%Zn-1.0%Y-0.6%Ce-0.6Zr was prepared by combinatorial processes of rapid solidification, reciprocating extrusion and extrusion. Microstructure was evaluated on SEM and TEM. The average grain size of the alloy is 0.7 μm, the size of the second phase at grain boundary is 0.15 μm, and the size of the intragranular precipitates in round shape is less than 20 nm, Superplastic behavior of the material was investigated in a temperature range of 150 to 250 ℃ and initial strain rate range of 3.3×10^-4 to 3.3 × 10^-2 s^-1 in air. The highest elongation of 270% was obtained at 250 ℃ and 3.3 × 10^-3 s-L High-strain-rate superplasticity and low-temperature superplasticity were achieved. The superplasticity results from intragranular sliding （IGS） at temperatures from 170 to 〈 200 ℃ and grain boundaries sliding （GBS） at 250 ℃. At 200 ℃ a combination of IGS and GBS contributes to the superplastic flow.