Papers by Author: Zhi Wen Zou

Abstract: In present work, trace elements Sr and Nd were added into AZ91-1wt%Si alloys. The alloys were cast into a permanent mould and then machined into test bars. The microstructure and mechanical properties at room temperature of the specimens were investigated. Results showed that complicated Chinese script Mg2Si phase decreased in size with the increase of Sr addition. When Sr addition increased to 0.1wt%, the Mg2Si phase was changed from Chinese script shape into uniform polygon shape completely. At the same time, mechanical properties improved due to the morphology modification of the Mg2Si phase. An intermetallic compound containing Mg, Al, Nd and Si was found when Nd was added to the alloy. Remarkable modification on the shape and distribution of the Mg2Si phase was observed because of the intermetallic compound, which leads to a great change in mechanical properties. The grain refinement mechanism of Sr and Nd elements on the Mg2Si phase was discussed.

Abstract: In present work, Si and Sr elements were added into AZ91 alloy and cast directly into test samples using permanent mold. Mechanical properties of the samples at room temperature were evaluated by tensile test and the microstructure was analyzed. The results show that β-phase (Mg17Al12) of AZ91 alloy decreases with the addition of Si element and Mg2Si phase forms at the same time. Irregular Mg2Si phase precipitates preferentially at the grain boundaries at a low silicon content level. With the increase of the Si content, Mg2Si phase shows a complicated “Chinese- script” shape distributed at the grain boundary which leads to a lower ultimate tensile strength. Subsequently, the addition of Sr element has a remarkable effect on the form and distribution of Mg2Si phase of AZ91-Si alloys.

Abstract: In present work, Sr, Ca and Si elements were added into AZ91D and cast into a metallic mold. The influence of these elements on AZ91D magnesium alloy were studied systematically with the purpose of developing a new magnesium alloy with good mechanical properties at both room and high (150°C~200°C) temperature. Additionally, a simple method to qualitatively analyze the high-temperature creep performances of magnesium alloys was designed and implemented.

Abstract: The linear piezoelectricity theory is applied to investigate the dynamic response of coplanar interface cracks between two dissimilar piezoelectric materials subjected to the mechanical and electrical impacts. The number of cracks is arbitrary, and the interface cracks are assumed to be permeable for electric field. Integral transforms and dislocation density function are employed to reduce the problem to Cauchy singular integral equations. Numerical examples are given to show the effects of crack relative position and material property parameters on the variations of dynamic energy release rate.