Effects of Zn content on the microstructure and the mechanical and corrosion properties of as-cast low-alloyed Mg–Zn–Ca alloys

The effects of Zn content on the microstructure and the mechanical and corrosion properties of as-cast low-alloyed Mg–xZn–0.2Ca alloys (x=0.6wt%, 2.0wt%, 2.5wt%, hereafter denoted as 0.6Zn, 2.0Zn, and 2.5Zn alloys, respectively) are investigated. The results show that the Zn content not only influences grain refinement but also induces different phase precipitation behaviors. The as-cast microstructure of the 0.6Zn alloy is composed of α-Mg, Mg₂Ca, and Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ phases, whereas 2.0Zn and 2.5Zn alloys only contain α-Mg and Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ phases, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. Moreover, with increasing Zn content, both the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and the elongation to fracture first increase and then decrease. Among the three investigated alloys, the largest UTS (178 MPa) and the highest elongation to fracture (6.5%) are obtained for the 2.0Zn alloy. In addition, the corrosion rate increases with increasing Zn content. This paper provides an updated investigation of the alloy composition–microstructure–property relationships of different Zn-containing Mg–Zn–Ca alloys.     

Effects of Ag addition on the microstructures and properties of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys

Effects of Ag addition on the microstructures, aging characteristics, tensile properties, electrochemical properties, and intergranular corrosion (IGC) properties of Al-1.1Mg-0.8Si-0.9Cu-0.35Mn-0.02Ti alloy were investigated using scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electronic microscopy. The aging process of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys was accelerated by the addition of Ag. The strength of peak-aged Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys was enhanced by Ag addition because of the high density of β"- and L-phase age-hardening precipitates. The corrosion performance of the Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy is closely related to the aging conditions and is independent of the Ag content. The IGC susceptibility is serious in the peak-aged alloy because of the continuous distribution of Cu-rich Q-phase precipitates along grain boundaries. Ag addition reduces the size of the grain-boundary-precipitate Q phase and the width of the precipitate-free zone and thus results in decreased IGC susceptibility of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys.     

Microwave sintering effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-51at%Ni shape memory alloys

Ti-51at%Ni shape memory alloys (SMAs) were successfully produced via a powder metallurgy and microwave sintering technique. The influence of sintering parameters on porosity reduction, microstructure, phase transformation temperatures, and mechanical properties were investigated by optical microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), compression tests, and microhardness tests. Varying the microwave temperature and holding time was found to strongly affect the density of porosity, presence of precipitates, transformation temperatures, and mechanical properties. The lowest density and smallest pore size were observed in the Ti-51at%Ni samples sintered at 900℃ for 5 min or at 900℃ for 30 min. The predominant martensite phases of β2 and β19' were observed in the microstructure of Ti-51at%Ni, and their existence varied in accordance with the sintering temperature and the holding time. In the DSC thermograms, multi-transformation peaks were observed during heating, whereas a single peak was observed during cooling; these peaks correspond to the presence of the β2, R, and β19' phases. The maximum strength and strain among the Ti-51at%Ni SMAs were 1376 MPa and 29%, respectively, for the sample sintered at 900℃ for 30 min because of this sample's minimal porosity.     

Effects of gadolinium addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-9Al alloy

This research aims to study the significance of Gd addition (0wt%-2wt%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-9Al alloy. The effect of Gd addition on the microstructure was investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Mg-9Al alloy contained two phases, α-Mg and β-Mg17Al12. Alloying with Gd led to the emergence of a new rectangular-shaped phase, Al₂Gd. The grain size also decreased marginally upon Gd addition. The ultimate tensile strength and microhardness of Mg-9Al alloy increased by 23% and 19%, respectively, upon 1.5wt% Gd addition. We observed that, although Mg-9Al-2.0Gd alloy exhibited the smallest grain size (181 μm) and the highest dislocation density (5.1×1010 m-2) among the investigated compositions, the Mg-9Al-1.5Gd alloy displayed the best mechanical properties. This anomalous behavior was observed because the Al₂Gd phase was uniformly distributed and present in abundance in Mg-9Al-1.5Gd alloy, whereas it was coarsened and asymmetrically conglomerated in Mg-9Al-2.0Gd.     

Effects of sphere size on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ductile iron–steel hollow sphere syntactic foams

The effects of sphere size on the microstructural and mechanical properties of ductile iron–steel hollow sphere (DI–SHS) syntactic foams were investigated in this study. The SHSs were manufactured by fluidized-bed coating via the Fe-based commercial powder–binder suspension onto expanded polystyrene spheres (EPSs). Afterwards, the DI–SHS syntactic foams were produced via a sand-mold casting process. The microstructures of specimens were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy- dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The microscopic evaluations of specimens reveal distinct regions composed of the DI matrix, SHS shells, and compatible interface. As a result, the microstructures and graphite morphologies of the DI matrix depend on sphere size. When the sphere size decreases, the area fractions of cementite and graphite phases are observed to increase and decrease, respectively. Compression tests were subsequently conducted at ambient temperature on the DI–SHS syntactic foams. The results reveal that the compression behavior of the syntactic foams is enhanced with increasing sphere size. Furthermore, the compressed specimens demonstrate that microcracks start and grow from the interface region.     

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a large-sized ingot of Mg-9Gd-3Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr (wt%) alloy after a lower-temperature homogenization treatment

In this paper, a large-sized ingot of Mg-9Gd-3Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr (wt%) alloy with a diameter of 600 mm was successfully prepared by the semi-continuous casting method. The alloy was subsequently annealed at a relatively low temperature of 430℃ for 12 h as a homogenization treatment. The microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated systematically. The results show that the as-cast alloy contained a mass of discontinuous lamellar-shaped 18R long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases with a composition of Mg₁₀ZnY and an α-Mg matrix, along with net-shaped Mg₅(Y,Gd) eutectic compounds at the grain boundaries. Most of the eutectic compounds dissolved after the homogenization treatment. Moreover, the amount and dimensions of the lamellar-shaped LPSO phase obviously increased after the homogenization treatment. The structure of the phase transformed into 14H-type LPSO with composition Mg₁₂Zn(Y,Gd). The mechanical properties of the heat-treated large-sized alloy ingot are uniform. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and tensile yield strength (TYS) of the alloy reached 207.2 MPa and 134.8 MPa, respectively, and the elongation was 3.4%. The high performances of the large-sized alloy ingot after the homogenization treatment is attributed to the strengthening of the α-Mg solid solution and to the plentiful LPSO phase distributed over the α-Mg matrix.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of as-extruded Mg–5Sn–1Zn–xAl(x=1, 3 and 5) alloys

As-extruded Mg–5Sn–1Zn–xAl alloys(x=1, 3, and 5) were fabricated by hot extrusion. The experimental results revealed that the yield strength of alloys initially decreased and then increased with the increase of Al content. These changes were mainly attributed to the difference in crystallographic texture and volume fractions of second phases. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the alloys were greater than 310 MPa, 227 MPa, and 11%, respectively. The strain hardening ability of the alloys was also discussed.     

Effects of high-pressure rheo-squeeze casting on the Fe-rich phases and mechanical properties of Al-17Si-(1,1.5)Fe alloys

The effects of high pressure rheo-squeeze casting(HPRC) on the Fe-rich phases(FRPs) and mechanical properties of Al-17 Si-(1,1.5)Fe alloys were investigated. The alloy melts were first treated by ultrasonic vibration(UV) and then formed by high-pressure squeeze casting(HPSC). The FRPs in the as-cast HPSC Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloys only contained a long, needle-shaped β-Al5 Fe Si phase at 0 MPa. In addition to the β-Al5 Fe Si phase, the HPSC Al-17 Si-1.5 Fe alloy also contained the plate-shaped δ-Al4 Fe Si2 phase. A fine, block-shaped δ-Al4 Fe Si2 phase was formed in the Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloy treated by UV. The size of FRPs decreased with increasing pressure. After UV treatment, solidification under pressure led to further refinement of the FRPs. Considering alloy samples of the same composition, the ultimate tensile strength(UTS) of the HPRC samples was higher than that of the HPSC samples, and the UTS increased with increasing pressure. The UTS of the Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloy formed by HPSC exceeded that of the Al-17 Si-1.5 Fe alloy formed in the same manner under the same pressure. Conversely, the UTS of the Al-17 Si-1 Fe alloy formed by HPRC decreased to a value lower than that of the Al-17 Si-1.5 Fe alloy formed in the same manner.     

Si及Sb对铸态Mg-Al-Si合金组织和力学性能的影响

用普通铸造法制备不同Al、Si含量的Mg-Al-Si三种合金,研究了Si含量和微量Sb对合金组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明:随着Si含量增加,合金中的Mg2Si逐渐变粗大,合金力学性能逐渐提高。添加0.75%Sb后,三种合金均产生Mg3Sb2相,粗大的Mg2Si得到细化,呈相对弥散分布,合金的屈服强度和抗拉强度进一步提高。拉伸断裂形式为准解理脆性断裂。     

Fe和Si含量对2519铝合金组织与力学性能的影响

通过显微硬度测试、力学性能测试、扫描电镜和透射电镜分析等手段研究Fe和Si元素的含量对2519铝合金的组织与力学性能的影响。研究结果表明：随着Fe和si含量的减少,2519铝合金的时效硬化效果逐渐增强;随着Fe和Si含量的增加以及m（Fe）／m（Si）的降低,2519铝合金的抗拉强度逐渐降低;当w（Fe＋Si）〉0．14％及m（Fe）／m（Si）〈2．7时,2519铝合金的抗拉强度随w（Fe＋Si）的增加和m（Fe）／m（Si）的降低显著下降;Fe和si含量较低的合金中的析出相主要是强化相θ’相;Fe和Si含量较高的2519铝合金中,除析出θ’相外,在晶界析出粗大的AlCuFe相,降低了θ’相的数量,合金的强度降低。     

Ca,Si和RE对AZ91合金的组织和性能的影响

Ca,Si和RE合金化和复合合金化AZ91的研究结果表明：Ca单独加入合金中和Ca,Si或Ca,RE同时加入合金中都能明显改善AZ91合金的铸态组织，Si和RE在合金中以Mg2Si和Al11RE3颗粒相形式存在，而Ca则主要溶解于β-Mg17Al12中，未形成新相，DTA分析表明，Ca溶入Mg17Al12后提高了它的熔点，亦即提高了它的热稳定性，这一点对合金的高温性能十分有益，使合金的蠕变性能得到大幅提高，性能最好的是含0.3%（指质量分数，下同）的Ca和2％的RE的合金，它在200℃/50MPa下的蠕变速率相对于基体合金AZ91降低了一个数量级，单独加入Ca对铸态AZ91合金有脆化作用，但Ca,Si或Ca,RE复合加入则能大幅提高AZ91合金的室温和高温强度，同时保持了与AZ91基体合金相同的或更好的塑性。     

Effects of La addition on the microstructure and tensile properties of Al-Si-Cu-Mg casting alloys

The effects of La addition on the microstructure and tensile properties of B-refined and Sr-modified Al-11Si-1.5Cu-0.3Mg casting alloys were investigated. With a trace addition of La (0.05wt%-0.1wt%), the mutual poisoning effect between B and Sr can be neutralized by the formation of LaB₆ rather than SrB₆. By employing a La/B weight ratio of 2:1, uniform microstructures, which are characterized by well refined α-Al grains and adequately modified eutectic Si particles as well as the incorporation of precipitated strengthening intermetallics, are obtained and lead to appreciable tensile properties with an ultimate tensile strength of 270 MPa and elongation of 5.8%.     

Synergistic effect of Al and Gd on enhancement of mechanical properties of magnesium alloys

The effect of Gd/Al ratio on the properties of as-cast Mg-Gd-Al-Zn alloys was investigated by changing the chemical composition from that of AZ61 to GZ61. At the ratio of 1, the Al2Gd phase becomes predominant and Mg17Al12 is hardly seen in the microstructure. As a potent inoculant, the Al2Gd phase resulted in intense grain refinement and enhancement of strength, ductility and toughness. For instance, the tensile strength and elongation to failure of Mg-3Gd-3Al-1Zn alloy were enhanced by ~4% and 180% compared with those of AZ61 alloy, respectively. However, at high Gd/Al ratios, the Al2Gd phase was replaced by (Mg,Al)3Gd and Mg5Gd phases and very large grain sizes were achieved, which led to poor tensile properties and the appearance of cleavage facets on the fracture surfaces. Therefore, it can be deduced that the presence of Gd and Al, in appropriate amounts to reach Gd/Al ratio of ~ 1, is required for the achievement of grain refinement, good ductility, high strength, and the appearance of ductile fracture surfaces in the Mg-Gd-Al-Zn system. Conclusively, the Mg-Gd-Al-Zn alloys can be considered as a new class of structural magnesium alloy and it is superior to both AZ (Mg-Al-Zn) and GZ (Mg-Gd-Zn) series of alloys.     

Fabrication and characterization of nanocrystalline Al/Al12（Fe,V）3Si alloys by consolidation of mechanically alloyed powders

The aim of this study was to produce bulk nanocrystalline Al/Al12（Fe,V）3Si alloys by mechanical alloying （MA） and subsequent hot pressing （HP） of elemental powders. A nanostructured Al-based solid solution was formed by MA of elemental powders for 60 h. After HP of the as-milled powders at 550℃ for 20 min, the Al12（Fe,V）3Si phase was precipitated in a nanocrystalline Al matrix. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） images of the bulk samples represented a homogeneous and uniform microstructure that was superior to those previously obtained by rapid solidification-powder metallurgy （RS-PM）. Nanostructured Al-8.5Fe-1.3V-1.7Si and Al-11.6Fe-1.3V-2.3Si alloys ex-hibited high HV hardness values of～205 and～254, respectively, which are significantly higher than those reported for the RS-PM counter-parts.     

Microstructure and elevated-temperature mechanical properties of dispersoid-strengthened Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloys produced by twin roll casting

The microstructure and elevated-temperature mechanical properties of dispersoid-strengthened Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloys produced by twin roll casting (TRC) and conventional mold casting (MC) were studied. A specific heat treatment at 430 ​°C for 6 ​h was applied, followed by rolling. Tensile tests were carried out at 300 ​°C. The results show that in the as-cast microstructures, equiaxed grains formed in the MC sample while elongated grains with substructures formed in the TRC sample. The eutectics in the TRC sample were much finer than those in the MC sample. Upon heat treatment, large numbers of α-Al(Fe, Mn)Si dispersoids precipitated, and the TRC sample had a greater number density of dispersoids than those in the MC sample. During the tensile test after rolling, the TRC samples exhibited higher strength than the MC samples, which resulted from the combination of the strengthening effect of the stronger dispersoids and the greater substructure hardening effect in the TRC sample; the TRC sample exhibited better ductility due to its finer initial eutectic than that in the MC sample, which depressed the stress concentration and delayed the occurrence of microcracks and fracture in the TRC sample.