Microstructure and mechanical properties of ZA62 based magnesium alloys with calcium addition

As-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-6Zn-2Al-0.3Mn (ZA62) alloys with calcium addition were investigated.The as-cast microstructure of the base alloy ZA62 consists of the α-Mg matrix and eutectic phase Mg51Zn20.The Mg51Zn20 eutectic was gradually replaced by MgZn phase and Mg32(Al,Zn)49 phase when calcium is added into the base alloy.Further addition of calcium leads to the increase of grain boundary phases and formation of a new quaternary Mg-Zn-Al-Ca eutectic compound.In comparison with the base alloy,the increase of calcium addition to the base alloy results in the reduction of both strength and ductility at ambient temperature,but increase at elevated temperatures due to the thermal stability of Ca-containing phases.At elevated temperatures,the creep resistance of ZA62 based alloys containing calcium is significantly higher than that of AZ91 which is the most commonly used magnesium alloy.

The role of Ca,Al and Zn on room temperature ductility and grain boundary cohesion of magnesium

It is know from literature that small additions(<1 wt%)of Ca,Al and Zn significantly improve the intrinsic ductility of Mg.The exact role of each element,both qualitatively and quantitatively,and their combined effects,however,are poorly understood.Here we achieved a much clearer view on the quantitative role of each element with respect to ductility improvement and on the collaborative effect,particularly of Ca and Zn in Mg.Some of our findings and conclusions are in disagreement with data and interpretation found in literature.Four different alloys,namely,Mg-0.1 Ca,Mg-0.1 Ca-1 Al,Mg-0.05 Ca-1 Al,Mg-0.1 Ca-2 Al-1 Zn(all are in wt%)were selected for this investigation.All alloys were treated such that approx.similar grain sizes and textures were obtained.This largely excludes the effect of extrinsic factors on ductility.EBSD-guided slip trace analyses reveal that the addition of Ca eases activation of prismatic and pyramidal II slip systems.Using in-situ deformation experiments in SEM and atom probe tomography observations of grain boundaries direct evidence is given for the individual and synergetic effects of Ca and Zn on grain boundary cohesion as an important contribution to improve the ductility of these alloys.We conclude that Ca reduces the slip anisotropy and ameliorates ductility,however,the weak grain boundary cohesion in the Mg-0.1 wt%Ca alloy limits the material’s tensile ductility.The addition of Zn alters the Ca segregation at the grain boundaries and helps to retain their cohesive strength,an effect which thus enables higher ductility and strength.The further addition of Al primarily improves the strength.The results show that the balanced influence of reduced slip anisotropy on the one hand and increased grain boundary cohesion on the other hand allow to design a high strength high ductility rare-earth free Mg alloy.

Effect of rolling technologies on the properties of Pb?0.06wt%Ca?1.2wt%Sn alloy anodes during copper electrowinning

The objective of this work was to study the effect of different rolling technologies on the properties of Pb-0.06wt%Ca-1.2wt%Sn anodes during copper electrowinning and to determine the relationship between the properties of the anodes and rolling techniques during copper electrowinning. The anode process was investigated via anodic polarization curves, cyclic voltammetry curves, electrochemical impedance spectra, and corrosion tests. The microscopic morphology and phase composition of the anodic oxide layers were observed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Observable variations in the electrocatalytic activity and reaction kinetics of anodes during electrowinning indicated that the electrochemical behavior of the anodes was strongly affected by the rolling technology. An increase in the rolling number tended to decrease the oxygen evolution overpotential and the corrosion rate of the anodes. These trends are contrary to that of the apparent exchange current density. Furthermore, the intensities of diffraction peaks associated with PbO, PbOx, and α-PbO2 tended to increase with increasing rolling number. In addition, the rolled anodes exhibited a more uniform microstructure. Compared with one-way rolled anodes, the eight-time cross rolled anodes exhibited better electrocatalytic activity and improved corrosion resistance.

Effect of Ca and Y additions on oxidation behavior of magnesium alloys at high temperatures

Oxidation and ignition of magnesium alloys at elevated temperature were successfully retarded by additions of Y and Ca,which could be melted at 1173 K in air without any protection.Thermogravimetric measurements in dry air revealed that the oxidation dynamics curves of Mg-2.5Ca alloy and Mg-3.5Y-0.79Ca alloy at high temperatures followed the parabolic-line law or the cubic-line law.X-ray diffraction（XRD） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM） analysis indicated that the oxide film on the surface of Mg-3.5Y-0.79Ca and Mg-2.5Ca alloys exhibited a duplex structure,which agreed with the results of thermodynamic analysis.By comparison,the ignition-proof effect of the combination addition of Y and Ca was better than that of the single addition of Ca.