Microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast heat-resistant rare-earth magnesium alloy

Microstructure,mechanical properties and phase transformation of a heat-resistant rare-earth(RE)Mg-16.1Gd-3.5Nd-0.38Zn-0.26Zr-0.15Y(wt.%)alloy were investigated.The as-cast alloy is composed of equiaxedα-Mg matrix,net-shaped Mg5RE and Zr-rich phases.According to aging hardening curves and tensile properties variation,the optimized condition of solution treatment at 520℃for 8 h and subsequent aging at 204℃for 12 h was selected.The continuous secondary Mg5RE phase predominantly formed at grain boundaries during solidification transforms to residual discontinuousβ-Mg5RE phase and fine cuboid REH2particles after heat treatment.The annealed alloy exhibits good comprehensive tensile property at 350℃,with ultimate tensile strength of 153 MPa and elongation to fracture of 6.9%.Segregation of RE elements and eventually RE-rich precipitation at grain boundaries are responsible for the high strength at elevated temperature.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Al-Sm series heat-resistant magnesium alloys

The microstructures and phase compositions of the as-cast and die-cast Mg-6.02Al-1.03 Sm, Mg-6.05Al-0.98Sm-0.56 Bi and Mg-5.95Al-1.01Sm-0.57 Zn alloys were investigated. Meanwhile, the tensile mechanical and flow properties were tested. The results show that the as-cast microstructure of Mg-6.02Al-1.03 Sm alloy is composed of δ-Mg matrix, discontinuous δ-Mg17Al12 phase and small block Al2 Sm phase with high thermal stability. Rod Mg3Bi2 phase precipitates when Bi is added, while the added metal Zn dissolves into δ-Mg matrix and δ-Mg17Al12 phase. The as-cast alloys exhibit the excellent tensile mechanical property. The tensile strength（δb） and elongation（δ） can reach 205-235 MPa and 8.5%-16.0% at ambient temperature, respectively. Meanwhile, they can also exceed 160 MPa and 14.0% at 423 K, respectively. The die-cast microstructures are refined obviously, and meanwhile the broken second phases distribute dispersedly. The die-cast alloys exhibit better tensile mechanical properties with the values of δb and δ of 240-285 MPa and 8.5%-16.5% at ambient temperature, respectively, and excellent flow property with the flow length of 1870-2420 mm. The die-cast tensile fractures at ambient temperature exhibit a typical character of ductile fracture.

Effects of Cu addition on microstructureand mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-6Znmagnesium alloy

The application of Mg-Zn binary alloys is restricted due to their developed dendritic microstructure and poor mechanical properties. In this study, an alloying method was used to improve the mechanical properties of Mg-Zn alloy. The Mg-6Zn magnesium alloys microalloyed with varying Cu content(0, 0.8, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5wt.%) were fabricated by permanent mould casting, and the effects of Cu content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-6Zn alloys were studied using OM, SEM, XRD and tensile tests at room temperature. The obtained results show that the addition of Cu not only can refine the grains effectively, but also can modify the eutectic morphology and improve the mechanical properties of the alloys. The main phases of the studied alloys include α-Mg, MgZn_2, Mg_2Cu and CuMgZn. When the content of Cu exceeds 0.8wt.%, Mg_2Cu phase appears. Meanwhile, the eutectic morphology is modified into dendritic shape or lamellar structure, which has an adverse effect on the tensile properties. Furthermore, among the investigated alloys, the alloy containing 0.8% Cu shows an optimalultimate tensile strength of 196 MPa, while the alloy with 1.5wt.% Cu obtains an excellent elongation of 7.22%. The experimental alloys under different Cu contents show distinguishing fracture behaviors: the fracture of the alloy with 0.8wt.% Cu reveals a mixed mode of inter-granular and quasi-cleavage, while in other investigated alloys, the fracture behaviors are dominated by cleavage fracture.

Mechanisms of joint formation throughout semisolid stir welding of AZ91 magnesium alloy

Joining in the semisolid state is considered a possible method to join alloys to each other. The mechanisms taking part in semisolid stir welding of AZ91 alloys were investigated. Two 7.5 mm-thick AZ91 pieces and a 2 ram-thick Mg-25%Zn interlayer piece were placed in a heating plate. After holding for 3 min at a desired temperature, the weld seam was stirred by a rotational tool. The heating plate was travelled on a trolley at a constant speed of 4.6 cm/min. In addition, one sample was welded without interlayer. Evolution of welding as a function of stirring rate, tool shape and temperature was studied throughout this welding process with scanning electron and optical microscopes. Interlayer decreases the joining temperature and assists to investigate the possible semisolid stir welding mechanisms. Increasing temperature and stirring rate, and using round stirrer instead of grooved stirrer increase the stir zone width. The results show that some possible mechanisms are helpful to achieve a proper metallurgical bonding in the welding process, such as oxide layer disruption, liquid phase blending, globule joining, and liquid penetration to the base metal, merging a group of globule into stir zone from the base metal.

Effect of Mg-based spherical quasicrystal on microstructures and mechanical properties of ZA54 alloy

To improve the strength, toughness and heat-resistance of magnesium alloy, the microstrucmre and mechanical properties of ZA54 alloy reinforced by icosahedral quasicrystal phase （/-phase） particles were studied. Except α-Mg, φ-phase and τ-phase, MgZnYMn I-phase particles can be obtained in ZA54-based composites by the addition of icosahedral quasicrystal-contained Mg-Zn-Y-Mn master alloy. The introduction of MgZnYMn I-phase into ZA54 alloy has great contribution to the refinement of matrix microstructures and the improvement of mechanical properties. When the addition of Mg-based spherical quasicrystal master alloy is up to 3.5% （mass fraction）, the macro-hardness of ZA54-based composites is increased to HB 68. The impact toughness of composites reaches the peak value of 18.3 J/cm^2, which is about 29% higher than that of ZA54 mother alloy. The highest tensile properties at ambient and elevated temperatures with master alloy addition of 2.5% （473 K） are also obtained in ZA54-based composites with 3.5% （mass fraction） Mg-Zn-Y-Mn master alloy addition. The ultimate tensile strength of composites at ambient and elevated temperatures are 192.5 MPa and 174 MPa, which are 23.4% and 33.8% higher than that of ZA54 mother alloy, respectively. The improved mechanical properties are mainly attributed to the pinning effect of I-phase on grain boundaries.