Production of High Purity Mg-X Rare Earth Binary Alloys Using Zr

Abstract:

An Fe content lower than the tolerance limit is critical in controlling corrosion rates of Mg alloys. The possibility of reducing Fe below the tolerance in Mg melts was studied using Zr as a precipitating agent. The experiments were carried out on Mg-X binary alloys with rare-earths, X = Y, Ce, Gd, Nd, and La. The laboratory scale results show that Zr is effective in reducing the Fe content from the Mg melt for Mg-X binary alloys. Purification occurs by the precipitation from the melt of Fe rich precipitates, and the settling of the precipitates to the bottom of the melt. Any desired Fe content down to one wt ppm can in principle be achieved by appropriate melt treatment. The experimental results are discussed with respect to calculated phase diagrams.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 765)
• Pages: 301-305
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.765.301
• Online since: July 2013
• Authors: Arvind Prasad, Peter J. Uggowitzer, Zhi Ming Shi, Andrej Atrens
• Keywords: Corrosion, Fe, Mg Alloy, Precipitation, Zr

References

[1] Z. Shi, J.X. Jia, A. Atrens, Galvanostatic anodic polarization curves and galvanic corrosion of high purity Mg in 3.5% NaCl saturated with Mg(OH)2. Corros. Sci. (2011).

DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.12.002

[2] A. Atrens, M. Liu, N.I.Z. Abidin, G. Song, Corrosion of magnesium alloys and metallurgical influence, in: G.L. Song (Ed.), Corrosion of magnesium alloys, Woodhead, Cambridge, UK, 2011, pp.117-165.

DOI: 10.1533/9780857091413.2.117

[3] A. Atrens, M. Liu, N.I.Z. Abidin, Corrosion mechanism applicable to biodegradable magnesium implants, Mat. Sci. Eng. B 176 (2011) 1609-1636.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2010.12.017

[4] N.I.Z. Abidin, A. Atrens, D. Martin, A. Atrens, The corrosion of high purity Mg, Mg2Zn0.2Mn, ZE41 and AZ91 in Hank's solution at 37°C, Corros. Sci. 53 (2011) 3542-3556.

DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.06.030

[5] M. Liu, P.J. Uggowitzer, A.V. Nagasekhar, P. Schmutz, M. Easton, G. Song, A. Atrens, Calculated phase diagrams and the corrosion of die-cast Mg-Al alloys, Corros. Sci. 51 (2009) 602-619.

DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2008.12.015

[6] T. Haitani, Y. Tamura, T. Motegi, N. Kono, H. Tamehiro, Mater. Sci. Forum, 419-422 (2003) 697.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.419-422.697

[7] A. Pardo, M.C. Merino, A.E. Coy, R. Arrabal, F. Viejo, E. Matykina, Influence of microstructure and composition on the corrosion behaviour of Mg/Al alloys in chloride media, Electrochimica Acta 53 (2008) 7890-7902.

DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2008.06.001

[8] A. Pardo, M.C. Merino, A.E. Coy, F. Viejo, R. Arrabal, E. Matykina, Corrosion behaviour of magnesium/aluminium alloys in 3.5wt% NaCl, Corros. Sci. 50 (2008) 823-834.

DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2007.11.005

[9] M. Qian, A. Das, Grain refinement of magnesium alloys by zirconium, Formation of equiaxed grains, Scripta Mater. 54 (2006) 881-886.

DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2005.11.002

[10] D.H. StJohn, M. Qian, M. Easton, P. Cao, Z. Hildebrand, Grain refinement of magnesium alloys, Metall. Mater. Trans. A 36 (2005) 1669-1679.

DOI: 10.1007/s11661-005-0030-6

[11] Z. Hildebrand, M. Qian, D.H. StJohn, M.T. Frost, Influence of Zinc on the soluble zirconium content in magnesium and the subsequent grain refinement by zirconium, in: A.A. Luo (Ed.), Magnesium Technology 2004, TMS Annual meeting, Charlotte, USA, 2004, pp.241-245.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.419-422.593

[12] M. Qian, D.H. StJohn, M.T. Frost, M.R. Barnett, Grain refinement of pure magnesium using rolled ZirmaxR master alloy (MG-33.3ZR), in: H.I. Kaplan (Ed.), Magnesium Technology 2003, TMS Annual meeting, San Diego, USA, 2003, pp.215-220.

DOI: 10.1002/3527603565.ch112

[13] M. Qian, D.H. StJohn, M.T. Frost, Zirconium alloying and grain refinement of magnesium alloys, in: H.I. Kaplan (Ed.), Magnesium Technology 2003, TMS Annual meeting, San Diego, USA, 2003, pp.209-214.

DOI: 10.1002/3527603565.ch112

[14] M. Qian, D. Graham, L. Zheng, D.H. StJohn, M.T. Frost, Alloying of pure magnesium with Mg-33.3wt% Zr master alloy, Mater. Sci. Tech. 19 (2003) 156-162.

DOI: 10.1179/026708303225010849

[15] U.C. Nwaogu, C. Blawert, N. Scharnagl, W. Dietzel, K.U. Kainer, Effects of organic acid pickling on the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy AZ31 sheet, Corros. Sci. 52 (2010) 2143-2154.

DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2010.03.002