Investigation on Grain Refinement of AZ31 Alloy by Self-Inoculation Method

Abstract:

The grain refining technology of AZ31 alloy by using self-inoculation method (SIM) has been developed. Results indicated that SIM significantly decreased the grain size of as-cast AZ31 billet from 287 to 58 μm, changed the morphologies and size of the β-Mg17Al12 phase and decreased the solute elements segregation along grain boundaries. The average grain size is sensitive to the diameter of a cast rod; the microstructures of the large diameter rod are relatively inhomogeneous. The grain refinement was mainly attributed to the grain multiplication which derives from heterogeneous nucleation induced by self-inoculants and free crystals and dendrite fragments enhanced by fluid director, combined with a high solidification rate of alloy melt in the metal mold.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 1030-1032)
• Pages: 108-111
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1030-1032.108
• Online since: September 2014
• Authors: Bo Xing*
• Keywords: AZ31 Alloy, Grain Refinement, Solidification Microstructure

References

[1] M. Medrag, A. Parvez: Automotive, 2007, p.45.

[2] Y. Liu, T. M. Liu: Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed, Vol. 4(2011), p.654.

[3] S. M. Zhang, Z. Fan, Z. Zhen: Materials Science and Technology, Vol. 12(2006), p.1489.

[4] S.F. Liu , L.G. Kang, H. Han , et al: Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed, Vol. 4(2006), p.45.

[5] Y.D. Li, B. Xing, Y. Ma, T.J. Chen, H. Yuan: Advanced Materials Research, Vols. 189-193 (2011), p.3804.

[6] Y. P. Ren, G. W. Qin, W. L. Pei, et al: Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 1-2(2009), p.237.