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Effect of Alloying with Al, Nd and Ca and Heat Treatment on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Vacuum Die-Cast AM50 Alloy

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Abstract

In this paper, Mg–Al–Mn (AM) series alloys were studied to develop high strength and toughness die-cast magnesium alloys by micro-multi-alloying method. AM50-X (Al, Nd, Ca) alloy samples were prepared by vacuum die casting using Al, Ca, Nd elements with obvious alloying effect. The microstructures and mechanical properties of AM50, AM70 and AM70–0.5Nd–0.5Ca alloys after die casting and heat treatment were investigated by means of microstructure observation and mechanical properties test. The results showed that the tensile strength of the die-cast AM70 alloy was higher than that of the die-cast AM50 alloy, but the elongation was lower. The AM70–0.5Nd–0.5Ca alloy showed a further increase in tensile strength and a slight decrease in plasticity. The addition of small amounts of Nd and Ca led to a refinement of the microstructure, and the elements Nd and Ca did not form new phases and dissolve mainly in the Mg17Al12 phase. T4 heat treatment slightly reduced alloy hardness, while T6 heat treatment could increase alloy hardness. AM70–0.5Nd–0.5Ca alloy had the optimal overall mechanical properties after T4 treatment. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and hardness of AM70–0.5Nd–0.5Ca alloy reached 243.6 MPa, 145.2 MPa, 6.7% and 60.9 HBS, espectively. The improvement in the mechanical properties of AM70–0.5Nd–0.5Ca–T4 alloy could be attributed to comprehensive effect of fine grain strengthening, solid solution strengthening and dispersion strengthening caused by the improvement of Mg17Al12 (Ca, Nd) phase.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from Basic scientific research project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education (key research project) (No: JYTZD2023108); High level innovation team of Liaoning Province (No: XLYC1908006); General Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education (No: JYTMS20231201); Liaoning Nature Fund Guidance Plan (No. 2022-BS-179) and General Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education (No. LJKMZ20220462).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China

    Yang Yang, Feng Wang, Guofeng Lv & Xudong Du

  2. Key Laboratory of Magnesium Alloys and the Processing Technology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, 110870, People’s Republic of China

    Yang Yang, Feng Wang, Guofeng Lv & Xudong Du

  3. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Liaoning Equipment Manufacturing Vocational and Technical College, Shenyang, 110870, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China

    Shuaijie An

  4. Liaoning Automobile Lightweight Professional Technology Innovation Center, Tieling, 112000, People’s Republic of China

    Feng Wang & Jinwei Li

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  1. Yang Yang
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Correspondence to Feng Wang.

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Yang, Y., Wang, F., An, S. et al. Effect of Alloying with Al, Nd and Ca and Heat Treatment on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Vacuum Die-Cast AM50 Alloy. Inter Metalcast (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-024-01308-6

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