Papers by Keyword: AM50

Abstract: In this study, aluminum sheet metal reinforced magnesium structures have been manufactured by high pressure die casting (HPDC). Selected interfaces of the hybrid structures were analyzed before and after exposure to corrosive environments. The characterization of the as cast bounding surfaces of aluminum sheets and magnesium cast alloys was carried out to quantify the appearance of crevices, which are significantly influencing the extent of the corrosive attack. Depending on the geometrical design of local bonding areas, the observed interface conditions varied from defect-free form closure to crevice widths beyond 35 μm. A minor percentage of the analyzed segments revealed areas of local metallic continuity, detected as intermetallic phases Al₃Mg₂ and Al₁₂Mg₁₇. In order to evaluate acting corrosion mechanisms, hybrid samples featuring the material combinations EN AW 5083 + AZ91 HP and EN AW 6082 + AM50 HP were subjected to immersion tests using 0.1M NaCl solution at a pH of 7.5. The results showed a strong influence by the spread of the potential difference. Alternating corrosion tests (VDA 621-415) were applied to prove effectiveness of cathodic dip coatings (CDP) and wax sealing on standard profile structures, since the uncoated Al-Mg samples sustained severe corrosion damages immediately.

Abstract: Cast Magnesium alloys often exhibit large variability in fracture related properties such as ductility. In this study, the characteristics of micro-voids in high-pressure die-cast (HPDC) AM50 alloy were investigated by microstructural detecting. Specimen-to-specimen fractographic analysis of tensile fractured surface was executed to summarize the relation between microporosity and tensile properties. The results indicated that the variability in tensile properties is quantitatively correlated to the areal fraction of porosity in the corresponding fracture surface, which could be expressed by a power law equation. All the results proved that the most highly localized cluster of micro-voids is most preferentially to be the origin of fracture, and then, fracture crack will preferentially propagate through the adjacent regions that with large porosity.

Abstract: The present work presents a comparative study of FSW die cast AM50 Mg alloy. The main focus is the effect of the FSW metallurgy on the corrosion behavior of the alloy. AC and DC polarization tests were carried out on the FSW Mg alloys. The microstructure was examined using electron microscopy (SEM).

Abstract: Dissolution of secondary phases during thermal treatment in cast magnesium alloys influences their engineering properties. In this study, a kinetic model based on a Kissinger-type method has been developed for describing dissolution of secondary phases in the high pressure die cast magnesium alloy AM50 during a thermally activated heating process. Also, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was effectively used for investigating the dissolution kinetics of secondary phases in the AM50 alloy. By fitting a kinetic model to the DSC results, the activation energy of the dissolution of the secondary phases can be determined. In parallel, the microstructure of the alloy was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). It was found that the distribution of secondary phases and the concentration of alloying elements both at the grain boundaries and in the grains play an important role in the solid-state transformation kinetics of die cast magnesium alloy AM50.

Abstract: The increasing use of heat resistant magnesium alloys for automotive applications is expected to influence the chemical composition of upcoming post consumer scrap. Therefore it would be useful to define alloys that resemble the future composition of the material. For this purpose a matrix of potential recycling systems has been set up. AM50 was used as a base material to which decisive amounts of strontium, silicon and calcium were added. The basic heat resistant alloy systems AJ, AS, and AX have been investigated closely. This work deals with combinations of the three above mentioned elements. Some essential observations shall be presented concerning the development of the microstructure and its influence on the materials properties. For combined additions of strontium, silicon and calcium the formation of a new ternary phase has been observed. The compound has a positive influence on the fracture elongation and the corrosion rate in the salt spray test.

Abstract: TiN coatings were produced by depositing a series of Ti layers and subsequently ion implanting 80 keV nitrogen ions. TRIDYN FZR software simulation was used to estimate the maximum Ti layer thickness which could be successfully transformed to TiN by ion implantation. The chemical profile of these coatings was achieved by conducting a series of EDS measurements across coatings, sectioned at shallow angles. It was found that the structure of the RIBAD TiN films produced changes significantly with the implanted nitrogen ion dose. Their hardness and wear resistance were found to increase rapidly as the post implantation time was increased up to 230 minutes, reaching a maximum of 27GPa and 2.5x10-12 mm3m-1N-1 respectively. On the other hand, the electrochemical corrosion resistance of TiN coated magnesium substrate was inferior to that of the untreated substrate material. The results suggest that the coating developed is attractive as a topcoat of a duplex coating; having as underlay a corrosion protective film. In a separate study, it has been shown that such coatings could be ion beam sputtered titania or alumina.

Abstract: The effects of different solid solution and aging technologies on the microstructure of AM50 were studied. The results indicated that heat-resistant Al-Mn phases were the major second phases in AM50 alloy under all testing conditions. Highest microhardnesses were obtained not only in as-aged sample but in as-solution treated sample, which indicated that the strengthening mechanism for AM50 alloy was not limited to precipitation reinforcement.

Abstract: Compact AM50 alloy components were cast by Low Pressure Die Casting (LPDC) process. The microstructure and mechanical properties of cast components were investigated under as-cast and heat treated states. It was found that the microstructure of LPDC AM50 is composed of α-Mg and second phases - Mg17Al12 and Al8Mn5. Compared with Gravity die casting, LPDC AM50 alloy had much coarser grains and higher density, with smaller sizes and less content of second phases. The density of AM50 alloy by LPDC process was ρ=1.7836g/cm3, with increase of 0.45% based on Gravity die casting and much more increase compared with high pressure die casting. The as-cast mechanical properties by LPDC process were: σ0.2=57.8Mpa, σb=192.3Mpa, δ=8.7%. These of Gravity die casting were: σ0.2=53Mpa, σb=173.4Mpa, δ=8.1%. UTS in LPDC increased about 20MPa, with better YTS and Elongation. Compared with that of high pressure die cast AM50, the YTS of LPDC was much lower, with comparable UTS and Elongation. The mechanical properties of the heat treated AM50 alloy were still in the same level of as-cast state. AM50 alloy by LPDC process is not necessary subjected to tempering treatment.

Abstract: Magnesium applications for structural components in the automotive industry are constantly rising. This is based on the recent development of new alloys, new fabrication processes, and the ambition of car manufacturers to reduce the vehicles weight and CO2 emissions according to the EU and US policy [1, 2]. A rising quantity of magnesium per vehicle leads to a rising quantity of scrap which needs to be recycled according to the European Directive on end-of life vehicles [3]. So far post consumer scrap has not been used for structural parts. But since the metal is still expensive compared to aluminium or steel, and remelting saves more than 90 % of the energy for primary production, magnesium recycling will significantly contribute to cost savings. In comparison to steel or aluminium a recycling cycle for magnesium has not yet been established. Concerning post consumer scrap it is likely that many vehicles will end up in the shredder fraction or at least will be mixed up instead of being dismantled and separated according to their alloy. Thus it is reasonable to define secondary alloys which allow the use of post consumer scrap for structural applications. Creep resistant alloys have the potential of a broad application concerning the weight of the components and therefore a secondary alloy would be reasonable. The aim of this work is to examine a row of AM50-based alloys, modified with additions of Sr, Ca, and Si due to the importance of these elements to increase creep resistance and their usage in modern magnesium alloys. The corrosion properties as well as the mechanical properties and microstructures are investigated in the as-cast and annealed condition. Salt spray tests (using 5 % NaCl) and electrochemical corrosion methods are applied to investigate the corrosion properties which are then compared to the unmodified AM50. Tensile and compression tests at temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 200 °C are applied to investigate the mechanical properties.

Abstract: Microstructures and damping properties of semi-solid AM50 (Mg-5%Al-0.3%Mn) alloy were investigated and compared with those of die-cast AM50 alloy, based on experimental results of X-ray diffractometry (XRD), optical microscopy (OM), hardness tests and damping tests in a flexural mode. The semi-solid AM50 specimens show higher damping capacity than die-cast one in as-fabricated state, and the higher the fraction of solid α-(Mg), the greater the damping capacity. The annealing at 200oC deteriorates the damping properties of the semi-solid and die-cast specimens. This would be due to the segregation of solute atoms on dislocation lines, which eventually leads to lower internal friction by the restriction of dislocation movement. The peak damping values of the AM50 specimens are obtained after annealing at 400oC. The disappearance of segregates acting as pinning points of dislocations is thought to be responsible for the improvement in damping capacity. This result implies that the presence of solid α-(Mg) phase and annealing treatment at high temperature are beneficial to damping property of AM50 alloy.