Influence of electromagnetic stirring on microstructure of AZ91-0.8%Ce magnesium alloy

1 INTRODUCTION In recent years, magnesium alloys have been used in the automobile industry to save fuel and lower emission levels, and about 60 different types of components of magnesium alloys have been applied in automobile parts, in which AZ91magnesium alloy (Mg-Al system) approximately accounts for 90%[1?4]. It is well known that grain size has very important effect on material properties. According to Hall-Petch equation, when grain size decreases, the mechanical properties such as…     

The Role of Calcium in Microstructural Refinement of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

The effect of calcium addition on the microstructures of AZ91 magnesium alloy was investigated. It was found that a small amount of calcium in AZ91 allay produced a large decrease in the α- Mg grain size and the dispersed fine β-Mgt7 Alt2 phases. In addition, some Al4Ca particles were found to exist in the AZ91 alloy containing 0.5wt% Ca. EDS analysis and water-quenched technique revealed that the grain-refining mechanism of calcium for the AZ91 alloys was mainly attributed to the role of restricting growth of calcium in the primary α-Mg crystals.     

Sr Microalloying for Refining Grain Size of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy

The grain refining process of an AZ91D Mg alloy by Sr addition was studied and the heterogeneous nucleating particles of α-Mg were investigated by electron probe microanalysis （EPMA）. With 0.6 wt% Sr addition, the mean grain size of AZ91D alloy was refined from 235.4μm to 52.5 μm at the one-half radius of the ingot. The morphology of primary crystal changed from a sixford symmetrical shape to a petallike shape, Mg-Sr-Al-Fe-Mn heterogeneous nucleating particles were observed at the grain centers and Sr solute atoms presented segregation along the grain boundaries. Grain refinement was facilitated by both the Mg-Sr-Al- Fe-Mn nucleating particles and the Sr solute atoms, and the former played a dominate role in the process.     

Refinement mechanism of in-situ Al4C3 particles on AZ91 magnesium alloys

The effects of SrCO3 on the microstructure of AZ91 magnesium alloy were investigated by OM, SEM, EDS, XRD and DTA analyses. The results show that AZ91 magnesium alloy with 1.0% SrCO3 addition has the best refining effect at 730 ℃ for 20 min, the average size of the α-Mg grain in AZ91 matrix alloy is reduced from about 91 μm to 58 μm, with reduction of about 36%. Based on the analysis results of EDS, binding energy, and Gibbs free energy, it is evident that the grain is refined because of the generation of A14 C3 particles which can be used as the crystal nucleus of the magnesium alloy when SrCO 3 is added. Owing to the generation of A14C3 in AZ91 magnesium alloy, the grain boundary is pined and the grain growth is inhibited. In the accession to the Al4C3, small subcooling temperature difference leads to the formation of fine grain microstructure in alloy melt. Fine grain microstructure in AZ91 alloy melt with the addition of SrCO3 can be obtained on the condition of lower undercooling temperature according to the DTA analysis results.     

Microstructural formation of semi-solid AZ91D alloy stirred by electromagnetic field

With the help of an electromagnetic stirring device, alloy melt quenching and EBSD (electron back scatter diffraction)analysis technology, the microstructure of the semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy slurry stirred by rotational electromagnetic field under different stirring power conditions has been studied. The results show that the size of primary α-Mg phase is reduced obviously when the solidifying alloy melt is stirred by rotational electromagnetic field, moreover, the primary α-Mg grains are changed to fine rosette grains or spherical grains which are proved to belong to the different grains in three-dimension by the EBSD analysis technology. The results also show that the stirring power is an important processing parameter in the preparation of the semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy slurry. The larger the stirring power, the finer the primary α-Mg grains, the less the rosette primary α-Mg grains, and the more the spherical primary α-Mg grains. Theoretical analysis indicates that a stronger flow motion leads to a more even temperature field and solute field and a stronger man-made temperature fluctuation in the alloy melt so that the specially fine rosette and/or spherical primary α-Mg grains are formed in the semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy slurry.     

MgCO_3对AZ31镁合金晶粒的细化

研究了MgCO3对AZ31镁合金凝固组织的影响。结果表明:随着MgCO3的增加,合金中的β-Mg17Al12相由晶内分布变为晶间分布。在AZ31中添加0.6%的MgCO3,于760℃时保温10min,细化效果最佳。α-Mg晶粒的尺寸由基体合金的570μm降至100μm,降低幅度约为82.5%,抗拉强度提高了57.9%,延伸率约提高了11.1%。通过能谱分析,结合能计算及自由能计算证实,细化机理是MgCO3反应后生成的部分Al4C3质点作为异质核心细化晶粒。多余的Al4C3质点钉扎晶界阻碍晶粒长大。Al元素随固/液界面前沿被快速推至晶界,生成沿晶界生长的β-Mg17Al12相,起到进一步固定晶界的作用。合金元素的分布均有改变。     

Gd对AZ91D-0.4%Ca-0.3%Sr镁合金低周疲劳性能的影响

通过运用控制总应变幅的方法,在应力比R=-1条件下施加拉-压载荷,测试了合金元素Gd复合添加对金属型铸造镁合金AZ91D-0.4%Ca-0.3%Sr的低周疲劳性能的影响,并利用光学电子显微镜、扫描电镜分别观察了材料在不同状态下的显微组织及低周疲劳断口特征.结果表明：Gd的添加能细化铸态AZ91D镁合金的晶粒,加入3.0%Gd可以提高镁合金的低周疲劳性能.     

Y和Ce对AZ91D镁合金显微组织和力学性能的影响

为了开发低成本、高强度、耐高温的新型镁合金,研究了微量Y、Ce对AZ91D镁合金显微组织和力学性能的影响。研究结果表明:Y和Ce复合加入AZ91D镁合金,能明显细化组织晶粒,从而改善合金在室温和高温下的力学性能。当加入0.6%Ce-0.3%Y(质量分数)时,合金晶粒细化效果较好,其室温和高温力学性能比较理想。     

离心铸造对AZ91镁合金组织及力学性能的影响

为了研究卧式离心铸造工艺对AZ91镁合金力学性能及显微组织的影响,采用卧式离心铸造方法制备外径为400 mm、厚度为20 mm且长度为1 000 mm的AZ91镁合金管材,并对离心铸造态与自然凝固态AZ91镁合金管材的微观组织及力学性能分别进行了观察与测试.结果表明,离心铸造态AZ91镁合金管材的抗拉强度和伸长率分别为158 MPa和3.4%,与自然凝固态管材相比分别提高了20%和89%.离心铸造态镁合金管材的微观组织得到明显细化.与自然凝固态AZ91镁合金管材相比,离心铸造态AZ91镁合金管材在凝固过程中的共晶转变在很大程度上受到抑制,并形成了以α-Mg为主相的组织.卧式离心铸造方法提高了AZ91镁合金的综合力学性能,并使合金的组织得到细化.     

As-cast microstructure,mechanical properties and casting fluidity of ZA84 magnesium alloy containing TiC

The as-cast microstructure, mechanical properties and casting fluidity of ZA84 alloy containing TiC were investigated. The experimental results indicate that adding 0.5wt%TiC to ZA84 alloy can refine the as-cast microstructure, and do not cause the formation of any new phase. After 0.5wt%TiC was added to the ZA84 alloy, the morphology of ternary phases on the grain boundaries changed from coarse quasi-continuous net to fine disconnected net, and the distribution of ternary phases became dispersive and homogeneous. At the same time, the tensile properties of ZA84＋0.5TiC alloy at room temperature were comparable to those of AZ91D alloy, and were higher than those of ZA84 alloy. At 150 ℃, the tensile and creep properties of ZA84＋0.5TiC alloy were also higher than those of ZA84 and AZ91D alloys. In addition, compared with the AZ91D alloy, the casting fluidity of ZA84＋0.5TiC alloy was slightly poor, but better than that of ZA84 alloy. The reason could be related to the effect of TiC on the solidification temperature range of ZA84 alloy.     

轧制对AZ31/AZ91焊接接头组织及扩散的影响

为了理解异种镁合金焊接接头显微组织的变化规律,采用TIG焊接方法制备了AZ31/AZ91焊接接头,研究了轧制变形及热处理对AZ31/AZ91焊接接头显微组织及扩散系数的影响.结果表明,随着轧制变形量的增加,AZ31/AZ91熔合区的晶粒细化程度增大,但在随后的420℃×8 h固溶处理过程中,由于再结晶充分,因此晶粒逐渐变大.在420℃×2 h固溶处理过程中,Al的扩散系数随轧制变形量的增加而增大;在420℃×8 h固溶处理条件下,Al的扩散系数随轧制变形量的增加而减小.相同轧制变形量下,Al的扩散系数随着保温时间的增加而减小.     

Effects of ultrasonic field on microstructures and properties of semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy

The microstructure distribution rule of semi-solid AZ91D alloy treated by ultrasonic was researched, and mechanical properies of specimens before and after ultrasonic treatment were investigated further.Semi-solid AZ91D melt specimens were processed by ultrasonic under different powers, and its microstructures and mechanical properties at different sampling points in specimens were obtained. The experimental results show that the microstructure of AZ91D alloy at different sampling points under the same ultrasonic power is different in grain size and shape, and there is also great difference among their microstructures at the same sampling point under different ultrasonic powers. AZ91D alloy treated by ultrasonic can obtain increment in both tensile strength and plasticity. Under same ultrasonic power, mechanical properties of specimen at different sampling points have obvious difference, and regularity for change of mechanical properties everywhere is similar to regularity for change of grain size and shape everywhere.     

Influence of Mg2N2 powder on microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ31 Mg alloy

In order to obtain an effective and reliable grain refiner for Mg-Al alloys, 1% (mass fraction) Mg3N2 was added into AZ31 Mg alloy. The microstructures of the Mg alloys were studied by optical microscopy, scan electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, and the mechanical properties were determined. The results show that adding a small amount of Mg3N2 to AZ31 Mg alloy can refine the grain size from 103 to 58 μm. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of AZ31 Mg alloy are 174.1MPa and 8.3%, respectively. After the addition of 1% Mg3N2, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of AZ31 Mg alloy are increased up to 198.7 MPa and 11.8%, respectively. The grain refinement mechanism is that AIN is formed after Mg3N2 is added.Both A1N and Mg phases are of HCP lattice structure, and the disregistry between Mg phases and AIN along (0001)Mg//(0001)AlN is 3.04%, which is very effective for heterogeneous nucleation.     

钙和碳变质对AZ91D显微组织与性能的影响

镁合金的晶粒细化对于材质的金相组织和力学性能起着决定性作用．本课题通过在AZ91D中加入Ca和C2Cl6晶粒细化剂,分别研究了Ca,C对AZ91D组织以及力学性能的影响．利用熔剂保护法,制备了AZ91D标准拉伸试样,经过T4,T6处理后,采用金相显微镜（Olympus）、扫面电镜（SEM）和能谱分析仪（EDAX）对制备的试样进行了显微组织、断口形貌及成分进行了观察与分析,并测试了抗拉强度和布氏硬度．试验结果表明：经过显微组织和断口形貌观察,加入细化剂后形成Al4C3,有效的抑制了晶粒的长大,使晶粒得到细化,当Ca和C2Cl6复合应用时,使得AZ91D的晶粒细化更加明显,力学性能得到提高,抗拉强度最高达到216N／mm^2,布氏硬度值达到60HB．     

Characterization of microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the spray-deposited AZ31 magnesium alloy

The cylindrical billets of a Mg-3Al-1Zn (AZ31) alloy were synthesized by spray deposition processing. The microstruc-ture evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated. The results reveal that the microstructure of the AZ31 alloy is refined significantly by spray deposition processing. A homogeneous and equiaxial-grain structure with an average grain size of 17 μm is obtained. Further grain refinement with an average grain size of 5 μm is attributed to dynamic recrystallization during e...     

Effect of the addition of Al-Ti-C master alloy on the microstructure and microhardness of a cast Al-10Mg alloy

The microstructure and microhardness of a cast Al-10wt%Mg （henceforth Al-10Mg） alloy with 0.2wt% addition of Al- 5Ti-0.25C master alloy were compared with those of a refiner-free alloy of similar chemical composition. It was found that this level of the master alloy addition not only caused an effective grain refinement, but also caused a significant increase in the microhardness of the Al-10Mg alloy. Microchemical analysis revealed that TiC particles existed in the grain center. The relationship between the holding time and grain size was also studied. It shows that the grain refining efficiency is faded observably with the holding time. This is explained in terms of the instability of TiC particles.     

Effect of RE on the ignition-proof, microstructure and properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy

The magnesium alloy is prone to burn during die-casting, which limits its applications severely, so the effect of adding rare earth （RE） on the ignition-proof of AZ91D Mg alloy is studied. The results indicate that the addition of mischmetal RE elements has a remarkable influence on the ignition-proof property of the magnesium alloy. It is found that the ignition temperature of the magnesium alloy can be greatly raised by adding a proper amount of RE. When the amount is 0.1wt%, the ignition temperature reaches 877℃ which is 206℃ higher than that of AZ91D without RE and the mechanical properties of the alloy are also improved, However, the amount of RE must be properly controlled because too much RE would induce grain coarsening and reduce the mechanical properties.     

钕对AZ91镁合金组织及机械性能的影响

采用微观分析、机械性能测试及断口分析等方法研究了钕对AZ91-Nd镁合金(w(Nd)=0,0.1%,0.3%,0.5%,1.0%,1.5%)的微观组织和机械性能的影响。结果表明:Nd以固溶和金属间化合物(A l11Nd3)的形式存在时具有细化晶粒、抑制二次β相析出、使不完全离异共晶转化为离异共晶的作用;Nd通过固溶强化、析出强化和细晶强化增加了合金强度和硬度,并改善了塑性;加入Nd后合金的断裂机制从脆性解理断裂转变为准解理断裂。     

Effects of rare earth elements on the microstructure and properties of magnesium alloy AZ91D

The effects of rare earth elements on the microstructure and properties of Magnesium alloy AZ91D alloy were studied.The different proportion of rare earth elements was added to the AZ91D and the tensile tests were carried out at different temperatures.The experimental results show that at room temperature or at 120℃ the AZ91D‘s decrease with the increasing amount of the rare earth elements.however,the ductility is improved.The influence of 0.14%Sb(mass fraction)on the AZ91D‘s strength is like that of rare earth elements(0.2%-0.4%)(mass fraction).Microstructure graphs demonstrate that appropriate amount of rare earth elements (0.1%-0.2%) can fine AZ91D‘s grain and improve its ductility.