Effects of heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-11Y-5Gd-2Zn-0.5Zr (wt.%) alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-11Y-5Gd-2Zn-0.5Zr (wt.%) (WGZ1152) alloy during different heat treatments were investigated. Almost all the Mg₂₄(GdYZn)₅ eutectic phases dissolved into the α-Mg matrix after solution treatment at 535 °C for 20 h. After ageing at 225 °C for 24 h (T6 state), a great amount of fine β′ precipitates formed. Both the 18R-type long period stacking ordered (LPSO) Mg₁₂YZn phase and 6H′-type LPSO phase exhibit good thermal stability during the high-temperature heat treatments process. The 18R-type LPSO Mg₁₂YZn phases are much harder than α-Mg matrix and have a volume fraction of ∼16%. The ultimate tensile strength at the room temperature of the peak-aged alloy (T6 state) is 307 ± 6 MPa and elongation is 1.4 ± 0.3%. The alloy in T6 state shows anomalous positive temperature dependence of the strength from room temperature to 250 °C, and maintains a strength of more than 260 MPa up to 300 °C (0.64T_m). The excellent strength of the WGZ1152 alloy at both room and elevated temperatures is mainly attributed to the solid solution strengthening, β′ precipitates strengthening and LPSO strengthening. Slip line observations suggest a transition from basal to non-basal slip with increasing temperature.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Al-Mn-Ca alloy sheet produced by twin roll casting and sequential warm rolling

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of twin roll cast (TRC) Mg-3.3 wt.%Al-0.8 wt.%Mn-0.2 wt.%Ca (AM31 + 0.2Ca) alloy strip during warm rolling and subsequent annealing were investigated in this paper. The as-TRC alloy strip shows columnar dendrites in surface and equiaxed dendrites in center regions, as well as finely dispersed primary Al₈Mn₅ particles on interdendritic boundaries which result in the beneficial effect on microstructural refinement of strip casting. The warm rolled sheets show intensively deformed band or shear band structures, as well as finely and homogeneously dispersed Al-Mn particles. No evident dynamic recrystallization (DRX) takes place during warm rolling process, which is more likely attributed to the finely dispersed particle and high solid solution of Al and Mn atoms in α-Mg matrix. After annealing at 350 °C for 1 h, the warm rolled TRC sheets show fine equiaxed grains around 7.8 μm in average size. It has been shown that the present TRC alloy sheet has superior tensile strength and comparative elongation compared to commercial ingot cast (IC) one, suggesting the possibility of the development of wrought magnesium alloy sheets by twin roll strip casting processing. The microstructural evolution during warm rolling and subsequent annealing as well as the resulting tensile properties were analyzed and discussed.     

Ultrasonic Vibration and Rheocasting for Refinement of Mg–Zn–Y Alloy Reinforced with LPSO Structure

In this work, ultrasonic vibration (UV) and rheo-squeeze casting was first applied on the Mg alloy reinforced with long period stacking ordered (LPSO) structure. The semisolid slurry of Mg–Zn–Y alloy was prepared by UV and processed by rheo-squeeze casting in succession. The effects of UV, Zr addition and squeeze pressure on microstructure of semisolid Mg–Zn–Y alloy were studied. The results revealed that the synergic effect of UV and Zr addition generated a finer microstructure than either one alone when preparing the slurries. Rheo-squeeze casting could significantly refine the LPSO structure and α-Mg matrix in Mg_96.9Zn₁Y₂Zr_0.1 alloy without changing the phase compositions or the type of LPSO structure. When the squeeze pressure increased from 0 to 400 MPa, the block LPSO structure was completely eliminated and the average thickness of LPSO structure decreased from 9.8 to 4.3 μm. Under 400 MPa squeeze pressure, the tensile strength and elongation of the rheocast Mg_96.9Zn₁Y₂Zr_0.1 alloy reached the maximum values, which were 234 MPa and 17.6%, respectively, due to its fine α-Mg matrix (α1-Mg and α2-Mg grains) and LPSO structure.     

Influence of yttrium on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-5Li-3Al-2Zn alloy

The influence of Y on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-5Li-3Al-2Zn alloy was investigated. The results show that the phase compositions of Mg-5Li-3Al-2Zn consist of α-Mg and AlLi phases. Adding Y to the alloy results in the formation of Al₂Y compound and facilitates grain refinement. The addition of 0.8 wt.% Y produces the smallest grain size. The tensile tests performed at room temperature show that the additions of Y can improve the mechanical properties of the alloy; the tensile strength and ductility reach peak values when the Y additions are 0.8 wt.% and 1.2 wt.%, respectively. The mechanisms of improvement are related to grain refinement and compound strengthening effects.     

The indirect ultrasonic vibration process for rheo-squeeze casting of A356 aluminum alloy

The semisolid slurry of A356 Al alloy was prepared by indirect ultrasonic vibration (IUV) method and then formed by direct squeeze casting (SC). The effects of squeeze pressure and T6 heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of rheo-squeeze casting (RSC) A356 Al alloy were investigated. The results indicate that with the increase of squeeze pressure, the average diameter of primary α-Al particles decreased, while the densities and mechanical properties of the samples increased. The effect of T6 heat treatment on the mechanical properties is more significant in RSC samples than in conventional SC samples. The tensile strength and elongation of T6 heat treated RSC samples under 100 MPa pressure are 338 MPa and 8%, respectively.     

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg-12Zn-2Y alloy containing quasicrystal phase fabricated by different casting processes

Although icosahedral quasicrystal phase (denoted as I-phase) has been verified as an outstanding reinforcing phase, the mechanical properties of quasicrystal-reinforced Mg-Zn-Y alloys fabricated by traditional casting processes are still unsatisfactory due to the serious segregation of intermetallic compounds. In this study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-12Zn-2Y alloy fabricated by different casting processes, including permanent mold casting, squeeze casting and rheo-squeeze casting with ultrasonic vibration, were systematically investigated and compared. The results show that massive, large-sized I-phase and Mg₇Zn₃ phase gather together in the permanent mold cast sample, while the squeeze casting process leads to the transformation of I-phase into fine lamellar morphology and the amount of Mg₇Zn₃ decreases. As to the rheo-squeeze casting process, when the ultrasonic vibration is exerted with power from 800 W to 1,600 W, the α-Mg grains are refined and spheroidized to a large extent, and the lamellar spacing of the eutectic structure is significantly reduced, accompanied by some tiny granular I-phase scattering in the α-Mg matrix. However, when the ultrasonic power continuously increases to 2,400 W, the eutectic structure becomes coarse. The best mechanical properties of the rheo-squeeze cast alloy are obtained when the ultrasonic power is 1,600 W. The microhardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation are 79.9 HV, 140 MPa, 236 MPa, and 3.25%, which are 44.1%, 26.1%, 25.5%, 132.1% respectively higher than the corresponding values of the squeeze casting sample, and are 47.6%, 44.3%, 69.8%, and 253.3% respectively higher than the corresponding values of the permanent mold casting sample.

     

Influence of aging modes on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ80 magnesium alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ80 magnesium alloy after solid solution and aging treatments were studied by using optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) as well as tensile testing. The results indicated that β-Mg17Al12 phase was getting to distribute discontinuously along the grain boundary after treated at 395℃ ageing for 12 h followed by water-cooling, but it did not dissolve into α-Mg completely. The residual β-Mg17Al12 phase distributed along the grain boundary and had block-like or island shapes. The size of α-Mg was getting to be coarsening but not significantly. The β-Mg17Al12 precipitates appeared in discontinuous and continuous patterns from supersaturated α-Mg solid solution after aged at 200℃. The precipitation patterns were associated with the aging time essentially. The tensile strength and elongation of the alloy increased significantly but the hardness and yield strength decreased after solid solution treatment. However, with the prolonging of aging time, the hardness and strength of alloy increased while the ductility decreased.     

Influence of ultrasonic melt treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi9Cu3 alloy

A novel MMM (Multi-frequency, Multimode, Modulated) ultrasonic (US) technology was used to refine the as cast microstructure and improve the mechanical properties of a AlSi9Cu3 alloy. Ultrasonic vibration was isothermally applied to the melt for 120 s at different temperatures slightly above the liquidus temperature of the alloy, using different electric power values, before pouring into a metallic mould. The microstructure of the cast samples was characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. Ultrasonic vibration promoted the formation of small α-Al globular grains, changed the size and morphology of intermetallic compounds and distributed them uniformly throughout the castings. Ultimate tensile strength and strain were increased to 332 MPa and 2.9%, respectively, which are 50% and 480% higher than the values obtained for castings produced without vibration. The microstructure morphology and the alloy mechanical properties were found to depend on the electric power and the melt temperature, and by using a suitable combination of these parameters it is possible to achieve high refinement efficiency by treating the melts in the liquid state.     

Mg-6Gd-3Y-2Zn-0.5Zr镁合金的组织和性能

设计了新型Mg-6Gd-3Y-2Zn-0.5Zr镁合金,并用光学显微镜、扫描电镜及拉伸试验机对合金铸态、均匀化态及挤压态的显微组织特征和力学性能进行了研究。结果表明,铸态Mg-6Gd-3Y-2Zn-0.5Zr合金组织主要由α-Mg基体和沿晶界分布的块状长周期堆垛有序结构相组成,均匀化处理(450℃×16h)促使细小层片状的长周期堆垛有序结构相由晶界向晶内生长。挤压态Mg-6Gd-3Y-2Zn-0.5Zr合金在200℃下时效处理,无明显时效硬化现象,但挤压态合金具有优良的强韧性能,室温抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为335MPa、276MPa和17%。     

Effect of rolling and heat treatment on tensile behaviour of wrought Al-SiCp composites prepared by stir-casting

Al 6061- and Al 7108-SiCp composites (Al-PMMC) were prepared by stir-casting with SiCp size of 8 and 15 μm and volume fraction (Vf) of 0–20%. These composites were then subjected to successive hot rolling at 450 °C using a strain rate of 1 s⁻¹ while the intermediate period of heating between each two successive rolling steps was 1 min to 1 h. Tensile test was conducted on the as-rolled composite strips with 3.0, 1.1 and 0.4 mm thicknesses using 81, 94 and 98% reductions, subsequently, with a tensile rate of 10 MPa s⁻¹. Different tensile properties including ultimate tensile strength UTS, Young's modulus and elongation, were determined. The tensile behaviour was analysed in view of matrix alloy type and SiCp size and Vf. The effect of T6 treatment on the microstructure and tensile properties was also presented. Generally, successive hot rolling resulted in decreasing casting defects such as void and SiCp agglomeration present in the as-cast composites and hence enhanced mechanical properties were achieved. Almost 240 and 390% improvement in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) for 6061 and 7108 composite was obtained, respectively. The improvement in strength was remarkable for composites rolled to 0.4 mm. Annealing improved the elongation% at break of the 10–15% Vf composite more than 3 times. UTS of rolled composite was enhanced by T6 treatment at 176 °C and 120 °C for 6061 and 7108 composites. The effect of T6 treatment on the composite tensile behaviour was discussed.     

Microstructure modification and precipitation strengthening for Mg–6Zn–1Mn–4Sn–0.5Ca through extrusion and aging treatment

The microstructure revolution and mechanical properties of as-extruded and peak-aged Mg–6Zn–1Mn– 4Sn–0.5Ca (ZMT614–0.5Ca) alloy were studied by OM, SEM, TEM, hardness testing and tensile testing. The results showed that the as-cast ZMT614–0.5Ca alloy mainly consisted of α-Mg, Mg–Zn and CaMgSn phase. The hot extrusion process effectively refined the microstructure and led to a completely dynamic recrystallized microstructure. The average grain size of as-extruded alloy was ˜4.85 μm. After solution treatment, remained CaMgSn with high melting point played a significant role in pinning effect and impeding the migration of grain boundary. After aging treatment, peak-aged ZMT614–0.5Ca alloy exhibited a good combination of strength and ductility, with yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation being 338 MPa, 383 MPa and 7.5%, respectively. The yield strength of the alloy increased significantly by around 36% compared with that in as-extruded condition, which should be attributed to the precipitation strengthening of β' phase.     

钕对二元高铝镁合金组织及性能的影响

研究了稀土元素钕对Mg-15Al合金显微组织和力学性能的影响。试验结果表明:加入钕后,Mg-15Al合金的α-Mg晶粒明显细化,α+β共晶组织由粗大网状变得分散、细小,钕与铝结合形成稳定的Al11Nd3,合金的抗拉强度和伸长率均得到显著提高。钕加入量为1.0%时,组织细化效果最好,Mg-15Al合金的综合力学性能达到最佳。当钕加入量为1.5%时,α-Mg晶粒又变大、抗拉强度略有下降。     

超声振动对Mg-8Li-3Al合金凝固组织及性能的影响

在Mg-8Li-3Al合金的凝固过程中,不同功率的超声波被引入到合金熔体中。在超声作用下研究Mg-8Li-3Al合金的微观结构、耐腐蚀性能和力学性能。基于超声空化作用及声流作用,对超声细化机制进行分析。结果表明：在施加超声波后,合金的α相形貌从粗大的蔷薇状结构变为细小的近球状结构。当超声波功率为170W时,能够获得细小的球状结构。与没有施加超声场的合金相比,施加超声场（功率170W,作用时间90s）后的合金耐腐蚀性明显提高,力学性能也有很大改善,抗拉强度和伸长率分别提高了9.5%和45.7%。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of 7A09 aluminium alloy after isothermal compression and solution treatment

In this paper, the effect of processing parameters on the microstructure was investigated during the isothermal compression of 7A09 aluminium alloy. The optimal deformation parameters for the hot compression of 7A09 aluminium alloy were determined to be 733 K and a strain rate of 0.01 s⁻¹. The effect of solution temperature and solution time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 7A09 aluminium alloy after isothermal compression was also investigated. A low deformation temperature was beneficial for preventing the grain coarsening, while a high deformation temperature contributed to the dissolution of the second phase particles and the occurrence of static recrystallisation during the solution treatment process. The second phase particles were more dissolved in the Al matrix as the solution time increased. The optimal solution treatment of 7A09 aluminium alloy was 723 K for 55 min, followed by rapid quenching in water and an ageing treatment at 413 K for 16 h. The tensile yield strength, ultimate strength, and elongation of 7A09 aluminium alloy after the optimal solution treatment were 580 MPa, 630 MPa, and 11.5%, respectively.     

热处理工艺对Mg-6Zn-2.5Cu镁合金显微组织和力学性能的影响

利用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)和力学试验机等研究了铸造Mg-6Zn-2.5Cu合金在铸态、固溶和时效处理下的显微组织和力学性能。结果表明:合金的铸态组织主要由α-Mg和(α-Mg+MgZn2+Mg2Cu+CuZnMg)共晶相组成。在455℃固溶12~36 h时,随着时间增加,固溶效果逐渐增强,且在20 h时合金获得了较理想的显微组织及218 MPa的抗拉强度和8.68%的伸长率。随后在180℃时效6~72 h后,合金的拉伸性能随时效时间的增加呈先增加后减小的趋势,其中时效24 h时后,合金的抗拉强度和硬度达到峰值,分别为249.5 MPa和64.6 HV0.1,比铸态的分别提高了66.5 MPa和26.29%,伸长率在时效12 h时后达到了峰值6.72%。铸态合金的断裂方式以沿晶断裂为主,时效处理后合金的断裂方式为准解理断裂。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of large size Ti-43Al-9V-0.2Y alloy pancake produced by pack-forging

A pancake of Ti-43Al-9V-0.2Y (at.%) alloy with dimensions of ϕ480 mm × 46 mm was fabricated by pack-forging with a thick reduction of 80%. The as-forged Ti-43Al-9V-0.2Y alloy pancake has a duplex (DP) microstructure, which is composed of B2/α₂/γ lamellar colonies and massive B2 and γ phase regions distributed along the boundaries between the lamellar colonies. Different microstructures were obtained by heat treatment of samples cut from the as-forged Ti-43Al-9V-0.2Y alloy pancake. A fully lamellar (FL) structure consisting of B2/α₂/γ lamellar colonies was obtained after the heat treatment of 1350 °C/8 h. Tensile test results exhibited that the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the alloy with DP microstructure were decreased from 680.7 MPa to 834.3 MPa at room temperature to 589.5 MPa and 693.1 MPa at 700 °C, respectively, and the elongation (δ) of the alloy with DP microstructure was increased from 1.99% at room temperature to 12.12% at 700 °C; the elongation (δ) of the alloy with FL microstructure was increased from 1.52% at room temperature to 85.84% at 800 °C.     

Effect of heat treatment on corrosion behaviour of magnesium alloy AZ91D in simulated body fluid

The research explored ways of improving corrosion behaviour of AZ91D magnesium alloy through heat treatment for degradable biocompatible implant application. Corrosion resistance of heat-treated samples is studied in simulated body fluid at 37 °C using immersion and electrochemical testing. Heat treatment significantly affected microgalvanic corrosion behaviour between cathodic β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase and anodic α-Mg matrix. In T4 microstructure, dissolution of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase decreased the cathode-to-anode area ratio, leading to accelerated corrosion of α-Mg matrix. Fine β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates in T6 microstructure facilitated intergranular corrosion and pitting, but the rate of corrosion was less than those of as-cast and T4 microstructures.     

不同合金元素对Mg15Al高铝镁合金组织与性能的影响

研究了不同合金元素（Zn,Nd,Si）对Mg15Al镁合金的组织和性能的影响。通过对Mg15Al,Mg15Al1Zn,Mg15Al1Si,Mg15Al1．5Nd四种合金微观组织的观察和力学性能的测定,发现添加了合金元素后Mg合金组织中α—Mg基体和β—Mg17Al12相都得到了不同程度的细化,其中Mg15Al1Si,Mg15Al1．5Nd合金组织中有第三相生成,其形态分别为汉字状、块状,长针状。试验结果表明：添加zn和Nd元素后,抗拉强度比Mg15Al合金显著提高。提高幅度分另4为：13．2％和16．6％,而添加si元素后Mg15Al1Si合金抗拉强度比Mg15Al合金低。添加Nd元素后,伸长率比Mgl5Al合金显著提高,增幅为140％,添加了Si元素和Zn元素后,伸长率比Mg15Al合金低。     

The maximum solubility of Y in α-Mg and composition ranges of Mg24Y5 − x and Mg2Y1 − x intermetallic phases in Mg-Y binary system

The solid solubility of Y in the α-Mg matrix and composition homogeneity ranges of Mg₂₄Y_5 − x and Mg₂Y_1 − x phases in the Mg-Y binary system are important parameters to understand solid-solution- and aging-strengthening effects of Mg-Y-based alloys. However, they are different among the various assessed Mg-Y phase diagrams which are based on limited experimental data, especially at temperatures below ∼850 K. Our experimental results by using both diffusion couple technique and alloy method are in good agreement each other, but much different from the presently accepted Mg-Y phase diagram. The results show that the maximum solubility of Y in the α-Mg matrix is 4.7 at.% Y, much larger than the current phase diagram. The determined composition homogeneity ranges of Mg₂₄Y_5 − x and Mg₂Y_1 − x phases are much wider than the present ones and shift remarkably to the Mg-rich corner of Mg-Y phase diagram.     

Effect of element Gd on phase constituent and mechanical property of Mg-5Sn-1Ca alloy

The Mg-5Sn-1Ca-xGd (x=0, 1) alloys were chosen to investigate the change in solidification paths, phase formation and mechanical properties. The microstructure of as-cast Mg-5Sn-1Ca alloy is composed of α-Mg, Mg2Sn and CaMgSn phases. With the addition of Gd, the formation of the Mg2Sn phase is impeded and the CaMgSn phase is refined, whereas the ultimate tensile strength and elongation decrease. The possible reasons for the variation in microstructure and mechanical properties were discussed.