Papers by Keyword: Mg-Zn-Y Alloy

Abstract: There is little datum related to microstructure and properties of Mg alloys squeeze-casted with pressure over 200 MPa. In this study, the microstructure and properties of Mg-6Zn-1.4Y (ZW61) alloy solidified under 100MPa to 800MPa were investigated. The results show that a remarkable microstructure refinement and porosity reduction can be reached through solidification under high pressure. The average grain size and the volume fraction of second phase, i.e. quasicrystal I-phase, decrease continuously with the increase of applied pressure. The tensile properties, especially elongation, are obvious enhanced because of the microstructure refinement and castings densification under high pressure. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of ZW61 alloy in as-cast state are 243 MPa and 18.7% when the applied pressure is 800 MPa, which are increased by 35% and 118% respectively, compared with that of the gravity castings.

Abstract: Hot tearing sensitivity of MgZn_2.5Y_xZr_0.5(x=0.5,1,2,4,6) alloys were predicted by using thermodynamic calculations based on Clyne-Davies’ model, and verified experimentally by using a "T"-type hot tearing permanent-mold equipment. The hot tearing mechanism with different Y content of MgZn_2.5Y_xZr_0.5 alloys was investigated. The results demonstrated that the predicted values are consistent with that of measured values. The hot tearing susceptibility of the alloys from high to low are: MgZn_2.5Y₂Zr_0.5 > MgZn_2.5Y_0.5Zr_0.5 > MgZn_2.5Y₄Zr_0.5 > MgZn_2.5Y₁Zr_0.5 > MgZn_2.5Y₆Zr_0.5. Among the studied alloys, the hot tearing sensitive of the alloys of MgZn_2.5Y₁Zr_0.5 and MgZn_2.5Y₆Zr_0.5 is less than that of the commercial alloy AZ91.

Abstract: Mg-Zn-Y alloys containing a thermally stable icosahedral quasicrystal phase (I-phase) will have wide application future on condition that primary α-Mg dendrite and the I-phase can be refined during the casting process. In this research, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the rheo-squeeze casting (RSC) Mg-6Zn-1.4Y alloys have been investigated. The Mg alloy melt was exposed to ultrasonic vibration (USV) with different acoustic power densities from 0 W/mL to 9 W/mL, and then the slurry was formed by squeeze casting. The results show that good semi-solid slurry with fine and spherical α-Mg particles could be obtained with the acoustic power density of 6 W/mL, and the average grain size and shape factor of primary α-Mg were 32 μm and 0.76, respectively. Meanwhile the coarse eutectic I-phase (Mg₃Zn₆Y) was refined obviously and dispersed uniformly. Compared with the samples without USV, the tensile strength and elongation of the RSC casting samples with 6 W/mL acoustic power density were elevated by 10.6% and 55.5%, respectively.

Abstract: A novel pulsed magnetic field (PMF) processing has been employed for refining the microstructure of Mg-Zn-Y (Mg₉₃Zn₆Y) alloy in this work. Effect of PMF on the solidified microstructure of Mg₉₃Zn₆Y alloy containing icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase) was investigated. Experimental results show that solidified microstructure of Mg93Zn6Y alloy was significantly refined when the PMF was applied during solidification. I-phase in the entire cross-section of the billet changed from coarse, continuous and nonuniform morphology to uniform, fine and discontinuous morphology. In addition, primary α-Mg was significantly refined and also changed from developed dendrite to fine rosette. It was feasible to use PMF processing to refine the I-phase, because of its strong forced convection within the whole bulk melt.

Abstract: The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of as-extruded Mg-2.5 Zn-0.5Y Mg alloy were investigated. The grainy intermetallic phases (I-phase and w-phase) observed in the as-cast Mg-2.5Zn-0.5Y alloy distributed homogeneously in the hot extruded alloys. Compared with the cast one, the extruded alloy shows predominant mechanical properties as the result of refined microstructure and the dispersed intermetallic phases formed during hot extrusion. The ultimate tensile strength and the yield tensile strength of the extruded alloy were 354.8 MPa and 305.9MPa respectively.

Abstract: A high strength and toughness extruded Mg-Zn-Y alloy based on quasicrystal-strengthening has been studied. The effect of extrusion and heat treatment on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Y alloy were studied by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and tensile testing. The experimental results indicated that the coarse dendrite crystals were broken through the hot extrusion, and dynamic recrystallization appeared during the hot extrusion, which obviously refined the hot-extruded microstructure to the average grain size about 20μm. A large amount of strengthening phases such as Mg₃Zn₆Y(I-Phase), Mg₁₂ZnY(X-Phase) and MgZn₂, which were massive, grainy and clavate, dispersedly precipitated from the matrix along grain boundary during ageing treatment at 225 after extrusion, and made the sliding of grain boundaries restrained, which resulted in an enhancement for mechanical properties to a great extent. At the same time, the tensile strength and yield strength increased after ageing treatment. After ageing treatment of 225×24h, the highest tensile strength and yield strength of the extruded Mg-Zn-Y alloy were obtained: σ_b=506.7MPa, σ_0.2=373.5MPa, which were increased by 104.8% and 120.4%, respectively, compared with the extruded Mg-Zn-Y alloy, however the elongation decreased to 16.52%.

Abstract: The paper studied various morphologies of the quasicrystal phase in Mg-Zn-Y alloys caused by different cooling rates. The cooling rates were reached through five kinds of cooling media. The cooling curves were monitored by multichannel data acquisition cards. A further heat treatment was made to study quasicrystal growth behavior. The results showed that, with the decrease of cooling rate, the quasicrystal morphology changed and its size became larger. Moreover, a planar quasicrystal morphology evolution schematic diagram during quasicrystal growth process was observed for the first time.

Abstract: Mg_72.5Zn₂₆Y_1.5 quasicrystal alloys were treated under different heat treatment process. The microstructures of the alloys were investigated. The quasicrystal and eutectic morphologies and their transformation during heat treatment process were detailedly studied. The results showed that lamellar and dendritic eutectic phases throughout the matrix were evidently formed under heat treatment process 310°C×30min water quenched and 310°C×30min liquid nitrogen deep cooling, respectively. Furthermore, quasicrystals of dragonfly-like and bulk polygon morphology were formed under heat treatment process 575°C×15min water quenched and 700°C×2min cooled with furnace, respectively. Various morphologies’ transformation mechanism during heat treatment process were also studied.

Abstract: Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) has been conducted on as-extruded Mg-Zn-Y alloy containing quasicrystal phase at a temperature of 523 K. The optical images indicate that after 8 ECAP passes through route BA, the grain size of the extruded alloy is decreased sharply; and the coarse eutectic icosahedral quasicrystal phases (I- phases) are broken and dispersed in the alloy; and the distributions of Zn and Y elements become more homogeneous. These can be attributed to the shear effect during the ECAP processing. TEM micrographs show the grain refinement, the evolution of broken and dispersed I- phases and dispersion precipitation of nano I-phases during 1- ,4- and 8- pass ECAPed Mg-Zn-Y alloy. And the mechanism of grain refinement is also discussed.

Abstract: Mg72.5Zn26Y1.5 quasicrystal alloys were investigated under different solidification conditions. The specimens of Mg-Zn-Y alloys with cooling rates from 13.2K/s to 69.8K/s were gathered by a designed multi-channel temperature acquiring system and then the microstructures and phase evolution of the alloys were analyzed. The results show that the precipitation temperature of icosahedral quasicrystal phase (I-phase) increased with cooling rate increased from 13.2 K/s to 69.8K/s. The microstructure was mainly made up of α-Mg, I-phase and Mg7Zn3 phase. Meanwhile, the quasi-crystalline morphology was significantly different in the experiments. It changed from five (six) petals to the big pentagon with the decreased cooling rate.