Effect of magnesium on the aluminothermic reduction rate of zinc oxide obtained from spent alkaline battery anodes for the preparation of Al–Zn–Mg alloys

The aluminothermic reduction of zinc oxide（ZnO） from alkaline battery anodes using molten Al may be a good option for the elaboration of secondary 7000-series alloys. This process is affected by the initial content of Mg within molten Al, which decreases the surface tension of the molten metal and conversely increases the wettability of ZnO particles. The effect of initial Mg concentration on the aluminothermic reduction rate of ZnO was analyzed at the following values： 0.90wt%, 1.20wt%, 4.00t%, 4.25wt%, and 4.40wt%. The ZnO particles were incorporated by mechanical agitation using a graphite paddle inside a bath of molten Al maintained at a constant temperature of 1123 K and at a constant agitation speed of 250 r/min, the treatment time was 240 min and the ZnO particle size was 450？500 mesh. The results show an increase in Zn concentration in the prepared alloys up to 5.43wt% for the highest initial concentration of Mg. The reaction products obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the efficiency of the reaction was measured on the basis of the different concentrations of Mg studied.

Effects of solidification and melt treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of cast ZA27 alloy

The effects of solidification rate, modifications and pouring temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of casting zinc aluminum alloy ZA27 have been investigated. The results show that the number and distribution of pores are the key factors affecting the mechanical properties of ZA27. A slow solidification rate is beneficial to the ductility, while a rapid solidification rate improves the tensile strength of alloy basically. Among the modification agents RE, Sb Te, Sb Te RE and Sb Te Ti B, the addition of Sb Te to melt results in the best modified microstructure. The optimum pouring temperature for ZA27 is approximately 550?℃.

Improved strength and ductility of high alloy containing Al–12Zn–3Mg–2.5Cu alloy by combining non-isothermal step rolling and cold rolling

Al-12Zn-3Mg-2.5Cu alloy was prepared using a liquid metallurgy route under the optimized conditions. A sample cut from the ingot was rolled non-isothermally from 400℃ to 100℃ in 100℃ steps, with 15% reduction in thickness; it was then cold rolled isothermally at room temperature for 85% reduction. The cold-rolled alloys were characterized by electron microscopy, hardness test, and tensile test to elucidate their structural evolution and evaluate their mechanical behavior. In the results, the cast alloy consists of a-aluminum and various intermetallic compounds. These compounds are segregated along the grain boundaries, which makes the alloy difficult to roll at room tem- perature. The combined effect of non-isothermal step rolling and cold rolling results in the nano/microsized compounds distributed uniformly in the matrix. The hardness is substantially increased after rolling. This increase in hardness is attributed to the ultra-fine grain size, fine-scale intermetallic compounds, and structural defects （e.g., dislocations, stacking faults, and sub-grains）. The ultimate tensile strength of the rolled alloy is approximately 628 MPa with 7% ductility.

Effect of homogenization process on the hardness of Zn-Al-Cu alloys

The effect of a homogenizing treatment on the hardness of as-cast Zn–Al–Cu alloys was investigated. Eight alloy compositions were prepared and homogenized at 350 °C for 180 h, and their Rockwell 'B' hardness was subsequently measured. All the specimens were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and metallographically prepared for observation by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of the present work indicated that the hardness of both alloys(as-cast and homogenized) increased with increasing Al and Cu contents; this increased hardness is likely related to the presence of the θ and τ′ phases. A regression equation was obtained to determine the hardness of the homogenized alloys as a function of their chemical composition and processing parameters, such as homogenization time and temperature, used in their preparation.

Effect of sintering temperature on pore ratio and mechanical properties of composite structure in nano graphene reinforced ZA27 based composites

Nano graphene platelet(Gr)reinforced nano composites with a zinc–aluminum alloy(ZA27)matrix were produced by powder metallurgy at four different mass ratios(0.5wt%,1.0wt%,2.0wt%and 4.0wt%)and three different sintering temperatures(425,450,and 475°C).In order to investigate the effect of sintering temperatures and nano graphene reinforcement materials on the composite structure,the microstructures of the composite samples were investigated and their densities were determined with a scanning electron microscope.Hardness,transverse rupture,and abrasion wear tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties.According to the test results,the porosity increased and the mechanical strength of the nano composites decreased as the amount of nano graphene reinforcement in ZA27 increased.However,when the composites produced in different reinforcement ratios were evaluated,the increase in sintering temperature increased the mechanical structure by positively affecting the composite structure.