Corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity of V/Ce conversion coating on magnesium alloy AZ31B

A V/Ce conversion coating was deposited in the surface of AZ31B magnesium alloy in a solution containing vanadate and cerium nitrate.The coating composition and morphology were examined.The conversion coating appears to consist of a thin and cracked coating with a scattering of spherical particles.The corrosion behavior of the substrate and conversion coating was studied by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).Compared with AZ31B magnesium alloy,the corrosion current density of the conversion coating is decreased by two orders of magnitude.The total impedance of the V/Ce conversion coating rise to 1.6×10^(3)Ω·cm^(2)in contrast with2.2×10^(2)Ω·cm^(2)of the bare AZ31B.In addition,the electrical conductivity of the coating was assessed by conductivity meter and Mott-Schottky measurement.The results reveal a high dependence of the conductivity of the coating on the semiconductor properties of the phase compositions.

Effects of cold and warm cross-rolling on microstructure and texture evolution of AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet

Mg alloys conventionally rolled often present strong basal textures that affect negatively further deformations,limiting their applications.The present research found that cross-rolling experiences in adequate conditions can weaken those intense basal textures as a result of the interaction of deformation mechanisms and dynamic recrystallization.The effects of rolling temperature and strain rate on the microstructure and texture of an AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet generated heterogeneous microstructure where the initial basal texture was strengthened during cold cross-rolling and it was gradually weakening by the rolling reduction and the rolling temperature increases in such a way that a rather weak basal fiber was produced applying reductions higher than 15%at temperatures higher than 200℃.Their ODF functions supported the texture weakening,exhibiting a combination of two crystallographic orientations represented by{0001}<211^(-)0>and{0001}<101^(-)0>.

Laser Cladding Al-Si/Al_2O_3-TiO_2 Composite Coatings on AZ31B Magnesium Alloy

To improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys, a 5 kW continuous wave CO2 laser was used to investigate the laser surface cladding on AZ31 B magnesium alloys with Al-Si/Al2O3-TiO2 composite powders. A detailed microstructure, chemical composition, and phase analysis of the composite coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The laser cladding shows good metallurgical bonding with the substrate. The composite coatings are composed of Mgl7Al12, Al3Mg2, Mg2Si, Al2O3, and TiO2 phases. Compared to the average microhardness （50HV0.05） of the AZ3 1 B substrate, that of the composite coatings （230HV0.05） is improved significantly. The wear resistances of the surface layers were evaluated in detail. The results demonstrate that the wear resistances of the laser surface-modified samples are considerably improved compared to the substrate. It also show that the composite coatings exhibit better corrosion resistance than that of the substrate in 3.5wt% NaCI solution.

Research on Thermal Deep-drawing Technology of Magnesium Alloy (AZ31B) Sheets

Forming technology of Mg alloy (AZ31B) sheets can be investigated by thermal deep drawing experiments. In the experiments, the blank holder and die contacting with the blank were heated to the same temperature as the blank by using the heating facility. The circular blank heated in an oven is formed at a temperature range of 100~400 ℃ to obtain the optimum forming temperature range and the effects of major technical parameters on the workpiece quality. It is found that the blank is brittle at temperatures lower than 200℃. Temperatures higher than 400℃ are not suitable for forming of the sheets because of severe oxidation and wrinkling. AZ31B shows an excellent formability at temperatures from 300 to 350℃ and can be formed into a workpiece with good quality. When the blank holder force is 9 kN, extruded sheets with a thickness of 1 mm can be formed into cups without wrinkling. Workpieces show strong anisotropic deformation behavior on the flanges.

Analysis of Hot Rolling Routes of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy and Prediction of Tensile Property of Hot-rolled Sheets

At the initial rolling temperature of 250 to 400 ℃, AZ31B magnesium alloy sheets were hot rolled by four different rolling routes. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the hot-rolled magnesium alloy sheets were analyzed by optical microscope and tensile tests respectively. Based on the Hall-Petch relation, considering the average grain size and grain size distribution, the nonlinear fitting analysis between the tensile strength and average grain size was carried on, and then the prediction model of tensile strength of hot-rolled AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet was established. The results indicate that, by rolling with multi-pass cross rolling, uniform, fine and equiaxial grain microstructures can be produced, the anisotropy of hot-rolled magnesium sheet can also be effectively weakened. Strong correlation was observed between the average grain size and tensile property of the hot-rolled magnesium alloy sheet. Grain size distribution coefficient d（CV） was introduced to reflect the dispersion degree about a set of grain size data, and then the Hall-Petch relation was perfected. Ultimately, the prediction accuracy of tensile strength of multi-pass hot-rolled AZ31B magnesium alloy was improved, and the prediction of tensile property can be performed by the model.

Finite Element Analysis and Experiment on Viscous Warm Pressure Bulging of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy

Aiming at overcoming the low plasticity of magnesium alloy at room temperature, we researched viscous warm pressure bulging（VWPB） of AZ31B magnesium alloy based on the excellent thermal stability of viscous medium under the warm forming condition. The potential improvements of plastic deformation ability and forming quality of AZ31B magnesium alloy are expected with the aid of thermal characteristics of viscous medium. During bulging process the velocity field variation and pressure stress field distribution of viscous medium are observed at different temperatures through which the effect of temperature on the mechanical property of viscous medium and AZ31B magnesium alloy are analyzed. The results show that the formability of AZ31B magnesium alloy increases first and then decreases as the temperature increases and it is the best at 200 ℃. On the other hand, the viscous medium which can build non-uniform pressure stress field also exhibits a good flow property at elevated temperature, and it is helpful to improving the formability of AZ31B magnesium alloy.

As-extruded AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Fatigue Crack Propagation Behavior

The fatigue crack propagation rate of as-extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy was studied. Compact tension [C（T）] of the notch direction parallel （T-L）, vertical （L-T）, and inclined at 45o to the extrusion direction was investigated. The experimental results indicate that the crack propagation direction is parallel to the extrusion direction for T-L and L-T specimens, whereas the specimen inclined at 45o has an angular deflection of 9° to 11° toward the extrusion direction. The T-L specimen has the fastest fatigue crack propagation rate, and the L-T specimen has the slowest rate, the fatigue crack propagation rate of the specimen inclined at 45o is between the two directions. The crack tip propagates by both transgranular and intergranular fractures. Fatigue fractures consist of cleavage plane or quasi-cleavage and are brittle fractures. The fatigue striation occurs for specimens inclined at 45o and its size is 3-15 μm.

Experimental and numerical analyses of magnesium alloy hot workability

Due to their hexagonal crystal structure,magnesium alloys have relatively low workability at room temperature.In this study,the hot workability behavior of cast-extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy is studied through hot compression testing,numerical modeling and microstructural analyses.Hot deformation tests are performed at temperatures of 250℃ to 400℃ under strain rates of 0.01 to 1.0 s^(−1).Transmission electron microscopy is used to reveal the presence of dynamic recrystallization(DRX),dynamic recovery(DRY),cracks and shear bands.To predict plastic instabilities during hot compression tests of AZ31B magnesium alloy,the authors use Johnson–Cook damage model in a 3D finite element simulation.The optimal hot workability of magnesium alloy is found at a temperature(T)of 400℃ and strain rate(ε)of 0.01 s^(−1).Stability is found at a lower strain rate,and instability is found at a higher strain rate.

The effect of extrusion conditions on the properties and textures of AZ31B alloy

The effect of extrusion conditions on the tensile properties and texture of AZ31B alloy has been investigated by means of optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD)and tensile tests.It is found that the ultimate tensile strength(UTS),the yield strength(YS)and elongation(EN)of the extruded AZ31B alloy are more significantly influenced by extrusion velocities in contrast with temperature.Although the extrusion conditions are different,the {1102}<0101> texture is the chief texture in the AZ31B after extrusion.Moreover,the extrusion textures become scattered with increasing the temperatures at the same extrusion velocity.As the extrusion velocity is raised at the same temperature,the orientation density of textures increases and the separated textures become relatively concentrated.This leads to the changes of tensile properties at different extrusion conditions.©2017 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.on behalf of Chongqing University.

Mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of Al-additive friction stir welded AZ31B joints

Compared to other structural alloys,magnesium alloys have a relatively poor corrosion resistance and low mechanical strength,which can be further deteriorated when these alloys are subjected to joining processes using the existing joining methods.Herein,we propose for the first time an additive friction stir-welding(AFSW)using fine Al powder as an additive to improve the mechanical strength as well as corrosion resistance of AZ31B weld joints.AFSW is a solid-state welding method of forming a high-Al AZ31B joint via an in-situ reaction between pure Al powders filled in a machined groove and the AZ31B matrix.To optimize the process parameters,AFSW was performed under different rotational and transverse speeds,and number of passes,using tools with a square or screw pin.In particular,to fabricate a weld zone,where the Al was homogenously dispersed,the effects of the groove shape were investigated using three types of grooves:surface one-line groove,surface-symmetric grooves,and inserted symmetric grooves.The homogenous and defect-less AFS-welded AZ31B joint was successfully fabricated with the following optimal parameters:1400 rpm,25 mm/min,four passes,inserted symmetric grooves,and the tool with a square pin.The AFSW fully dissolved the additive Al intoα-Mg and in-situ precipitated Mg_(17)Al_(12)particles,which was confirmed via scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscope,and X-ray diffraction analyses.The microhardness,joint efficiency,and elongation at the fracture point of the AFS-welded AZ31B joint were 80 HV,101%,and 8.9%,respectively.These values are higher than those obtained for the FS-welded AZ31 joint in previous studies.The corrosion resistance of the AFS-welded AZ31B joint,evaluated via hydrogen evolution measurements and potentiodynamic polarization tests,was enhanced to 55%relative to the FS-welded AZ31B joint.

Heat transfer analysis of magnesium alloy plate during transport process

Temperature detection and tracking of AZ31B magnesium alloy plate during the air-cooling transport process were investigated and carried out under different thicknesses and initial temperatures.Experimental results show that there exists a sudden temperature drop in the range of 1/4 of width distanced from the edge.When the plate is cooled by 25-56°C,the maximum inhomogeneous temperature distribution under all process conditions will appear in width direction.For the air-cooling transport process,the temperature control model for predicting the average temperature of the Mg plate after a predetermined time period can be established by modifying the Stefan-Boltzmann empirical equation.The model mainly depends on the plate specifications and air-cooling time.

Role of heat balance on the microstructure evolution of cold spray coated AZ31B with AA7075

A promising solid-state coating mechanism based on the cold spray technique provides highly advantageous conditions on thermal-sensitive magnesium alloys.To study the effect of heat balance in cold spray coating on microstructure,experiments were designed to successfully coat AA7075 on AZ31B with two different heat balance conditions to yield a coated sample with tensile residual stress and a sample with compressive residual stress in both coating and substrate.The effects of coating temperature on the microstructure of magnesium alloy and the interfaces of coated samples were then analyzed by SEM,EBSD,TEM in high-and low-heat input coating conditions.The interface of the AA7075 coating and magnesium alloy substrate under both conditions consists of a narrow-band layer with very fine grains,followed by columnar grains of magnesium that have grown perpendicular to the interface.At higher temperatures,this layer became wider.No intermetallic phase was detected at the interface under either condition.It is shown that the microstructure of the substrate was affected by coating temperature,leading to stress relief,dynamic recrystallization and even dynamic grain growth of magnesium under high temperature.Reducing the heat input and increasing the heat transfer decreased microstructural changes in the substrate.

Formability evaluation of AZ31B extruded tube for hydroforming process

Hydroforming of magnesium and aluminum alloy tube at elevated temperature is becoming a very promising method to manufacture light-weight hollow components.Uniaxial tensile test and hydrobulging test were used to investigate the formability of AZ31B magnesium tube at different temperatures.The tube was manufactured by porthole die extrusion.Results show that as temperature increase,the tension formability along the extrusion direction measured by tensile test increases significantly,whereas the maximum hydrobulging ratio measured by hydrobulging test does not change accordingly.This anisotropy character of the tube,i.e.,different properties in axial direction and hoop direction,is mainly dependant on the extrusion process.In addition,there exists several weld lines along the extrusion direction.These weld lines will become the weakest positions when formed at elevated temperature,and will consequently decrease the formability of the tube during hydroforming process.

Quick Surface Treatment of AZ31B by AC Micro-arc Oxidation

In order to explore an effective way to shorten treatment time and enhance the quality of treatment coating, AC micro-arc oxidation was conducted to treat the surface of AZ31 B deformation magnesium alloy in KF＋KOH treatment solution. The infl uences of micro-arc oxidation parameters such as concentration of KF, concentration of KOH, output voltage of booster, temperature of treatment solution, and treatment time on treatment coating thickness were raveled out under different conditions. The structure and composition of treatment coating were determined, the growth mechanism of treatment coating was discussed, and the quick surface treatment technology for compact treatment coating with maximum thickness was developed. The experimental results show that： A maximum 33 μm-thick compact treatment coating, consisting of MgF2 and MgO mainly, can be formed on AZ31 B in 112 s under the conditions of 1 132 g/L KF, 382 g/L KOH, 66 V for output voltage of booster and 34 ℃ of treatment solution which were optimized by a genetic algorithm from the model established by artifi cial neural networks. There are no ＂crater-shaped＂ pores in this treatment coating as the heat shock resulting from the smooth variation of AC sinusoidal voltage is far smaller than that of the rigidly varied DC or pulse current. The treatment time is only one sixth of that adopted in the other surface treatment technology at best, principally for the reason that the coating can always grow irrespective of the electric potential of AZ31 B. This investigation lays a fi rm foundation for the extensive application of magnesium alloy.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy added with cerium

The AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet added with 0.5 wt.% Ce was welded with friction stir welding(FSW).The microstructures and mechanical properties of the welded joint were investigated.The results showed that the microstructures in the weld nugget zone were uniform and with small equiaxed grains.The grains in the heat-affected zone and the thermo-mechanical affected zone were coarser than those in the base metal zone and the weld nugget zone.The ultimate tensile strength of AZ31B magnesium alloy added with 0.5...

Dynamic tensile behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy at ultra-high strain rates

The samples having {0001 } parallel to extruding direction （ED） present a typical true stress-true strain curve with concave-down shape under tension at low strain rate. Ultra-rapid ten- sile tests were conducted at room temperature on a textured AZ31B magnesium alloy. The dynamic tensile behavior was investigated. The results show that at ultra-high strain rates of 1.93 × 10^2 s^-1 and 1.70 × 10^3 s^-1, the alloy behaves with a linear stress-strain response in most strain range and exhibits a brittle fracture. In this case, {10-12} 〈 10-11 〉 extension twinning is basic deformation mode. The brittleness is due to the macroscopic viscosity at ultra-high strain rate, for which the external critical shear stress rapidly gets high to result in a cleavage fracture before large amounts of dislocations are activated. Because { 10-12} tension twinning, { 10-11 } compressive twinning, basal 〈 a 〉 slip, prismatic 〈 a 〉 slip and pyramidal 〈 c ＋ a 〉 slip have different critical shear stresses （CRSS）, their contributions to the degree of deformation are very differential. In addition, Schmid factor plays an important role in the activity of various deformation modes and it is the key factor for the samples with different strain rates exhibit various mechanical behavior under dynamic tensile loading.

Deformation Mechanism of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Under Different Loading Paths

Deformation and texture evolution of AZ31 B magnesium（Mg） alloy sheet under uniaxial tension, compression, and reverse loading after different pre-strain（compression and tension） were investigated experimentally. The results indicate that the pre-compressive strain remarkably affects the reverse tensile yield stress and the width of the detwinning-dominant stage during inverse tension process. Similar to stress–strain curve of the uniaxial compression, the curve of reverse tensile yield value also has ‘S＇ shape, and its minimum value is only 38 MPa. The relationship between pre-compressive strain and the width of detwinning-dominant stage presents a linear growth, and the greater the precompressive strain is, the smaller the strain hardening rate of the detwinning-slip-dominant stage is. Compared with the reverse tension under pre-compression, the influence of the pre-tension deformation on the deformation mechanism of subsequent compression is relatively simple. With the increase in pre-tension strain, the yield stress of the reverse loading is rising.

Microscopic Structure and Property of Double-Electrode Gas Metal Arc Welding of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy

This paper focuses on the research on double-electrode gas metal arc welding(DE-GMAW) of AZ31 B magnesium alloy sheet with 2 mm thickness. During the welding process, stable hybrid arc of metal inert gas(MIG) and tungsten inert gas(TIG) is employed as welding heat source. Optical and electron microscopes are used to observe the microstructures of the weld joint. X-ray diffraction(XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS) are employed to identify the components in fusion zone. Microhardness is also tested. When the MIG current is 80 A, the perfect weld joint is obtained, though figures of fish scales are observed in all joints in the research. The fusion zone is formed by dendrites, where β-Mg17(Al, Zn)12is dispersed. The hardness in fusion zone and heat affected zone(HAZ) is lower than that in base metal(BM). The average Vickers hardness of fusion zone and HAZ is about 58 and 56 respectively, while the Vickers hardness of BM is about 63.

Experimental Exploration of Electrical Pulse-Assisted Roller Hemming of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Sheet

The purpose of this research is to explore the feasibility of roller hemming of AZ31 B magnesium alloy sheet. During the test, a special experimental setup considering the current flow and insulation was designed and employed. For the sake of simplicity, the flat surface-straight edge hemming style was selected. Electrical pulses were introduced in the pre-hemming and final hemming processes. The results show that when hemming at 448 K with hemming speed of 30 mm/min, AZ31 B magnesium alloy sheet was successfully hemmed with excellent perceived quality. No recoil/warp defect, cracking or springback was observed. Electrical pulses induced dynamic recrystallized grains were observed along the grain boundaries in the severely deformed area, which is of great importance to the improvement of the ductility of the material. The hardness was slightly increased after hemming with electrical pulses, and this fact could improve the friction resistance performance of the hemmed part.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg–3Al–Zn Magnesium Alloy Sheet by Hot Shear Spinning

Hot shear spinning experiments with Mg–3.0 Al–1.0 Zn–0.5 Mn(AZ31 B, wt%) magnesium alloy sheets were conducted at various temperatures, spindle speeds and feed ratios to investigate the effects of these processing parameters on the microstructure, crystallographic texture and mechanical properties. The AZ31 B sheet displayed good shear formability at temperatures from 473 to 673 K, spindle speeds from 300 to 600 rev/min and feed ratios from 0.1 to 0.5 mm/rev. During the dynamic recrystallization process, the grain size and texture were affected by the deformation temperature of the hot shear spinning process. Each of the spun sheets presented a strong basal texture, and the c-axis of most of the grains was parallel to the normal direction. The optimal hot shear spinning parameters were determined to be a temperature of 473 K, a spindle speed of 300 rev/min and a feed ratio of 0.1 mm/rev. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation in the rolled direction reached 221 MPa, 288 MPa and 14.1%, and those in the transverse direction reached 205 MPa, 280 MPa and 12.4%, respectively. The improved strength and decreased mechanical anisotropy resulted from the fine grain size and strong basal texture.