Abstract
As the need for weight saving and fuel economy has increased, so has the interest in using Aluminum-Manganese (AM) Magnesium alloys. A thorough examination of the existing literature found several competing conclusions on how elongation and microstructure correlate; therefore a study was performed on a high-pressure die cast (HPDC) AM50 alloy. This study focused on understanding the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties in test bars manufactured from a complex-shaped test casting.
The results from this study found a high degree of variability in the resulting tensile properties, especially in the elongation-to-failure data. To understand the role of microstructure on properties, an extensive analysis of the microstructures was performed. No difference in cell size through the sample cross-section was observed. Externally solidified cells (ESCs) were present in large numbers; however, no correlation could be determined between the location of the samples and the size and number of the ESCs. Porosity distribution was random across the sample cross-section. Examination of the fractures surfaces indicated that the fracture did not preferentially occur along the Mg17Al12 eutectic in the AM50 alloy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Friedrich, H.E., Mordike, B.L., Magnesium Technology: Metallurgy, Design Data, Application, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany (2008).
Schumann, S., “Paths and Strategies for Increased Magnesium Applications in Vehicles,” Materials Science Forum, 488–489: pp. 1–8 (2005).
Schumann, S. and H. Friedrich, “Current and Future Use of Magnesium in the Automobile Industry,” Materials Science Forum, 419–422, pp. 51–56 (2003).
Grebetz, J.C., “A Comparison of the Impact Characteristics of Several Magnesium Die Casting Alloys,” SAE Technical Paper #930417, SAE, Warrendale, PA (2003).
Padfield, C.J. and T.V. Padfield, “Plane Stress Fracture Toughness Testing of Die Cast Magnesium Alloys,” SAE Technical Paper #2002-01-0077, SAE, Warrendale, PA (2002).
Chen, X., et al. “Elongation Variability of AM60 Die Cast Specimens,” in Proc. 2004 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress, ASME, Anaheim, CA (2004).
Coultes, B.J., et al. “Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Magnesium High Pressure Die Castings,” in Magnesium Technology 2003, TMS, Warrendale, PA (2003).
Weiler, J.P., et al., “Relationship between Internal Porosity and Fracture Strength of Die-Cast Magnesium AM60B Alloy,” Materials Science and Engineering A, A395, p. 315–322 (2005).
Wood, J.T., et al., “Mechanical Properties of AM60B Die Castings: A Review of the AUTO21 Program on Magnesium Die-Casting,” SAE Technical Paper #2005-01-0725, SAE, Warrendale, PA (2005).
Carlson, B.E., “The Effect of Strain Rate and Temperature on the Deformation of Die Cast AM60B,” SAE Technical Paper #950425, SAE, Warrendale, PA (1995).
Aune, T.K. and Riopelle, L.A., “An Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties Critical to the Design of Interior Magnesium Components,” SAE Technical Paper #960415, SAE, Warrendale, PA (1996).
Aune, T.K. and Westengen, H., “Property Update on Magnesium Die Casting Alloys,” SAE Technical Paper #959424, SAE, Warrendale, PA (1995).
Aune, T.K., Westengen, H., and Ruden, T., “Mechanical Properties of Energy Absorbing Magnesium Alloys,” SAE Technical Paper #930148, SAE, Warrendale, PA (1993).
Rodrigo, D., et al., “Effects of Section Size and Microstructural Features on the Mechanical Properties of Die Cast AZ91D and AM60B Magnesium Alloy Test Bars,” SAE Technical Paper #1999-01-0927, SAE, Warrendale, PA (1999).
Rodrigo, D., et al., “Characteristic Microstructural Features of Die Cast Magnesium Alloys,” in World of Die Casting: 20th International Die Casting Congress and Exposition, NADCA (1999).
Mao, H., et al., “Microstructural Characteristics of Die Cast AZ91D and AM60 Magnesium Alloys,” SAE Technical Paper #1999-01-0928, SAE, Warrendale, PA (1999).
Dahle, A.K., et al., “Development of the As-Cast Microstructure in Magnesium-Aluminum Alloys,” Journal of Light Metals, vol. 1, pp. 61–72 (2001).
Dahle, A.K. and St John, D.H., “Rheological Behavior of the Mushy Zone and Its Effect on the Formation of Casting Defects During Solidification,” Acta Mater., vol. 47, pp. 31–41 (1999).
Dahle, A.K. and St John, D.H., “The Origin of Banded Defects in High Pressure Die Cast Magnesium Alloys,” World of Die Casting, T99–062, pp. 205–211 (1999).
Laukli, H.I., Lohne, O., and Arnberg, L., “High Pressure Die Casting of Aluminum and Magnesium Alloys — Some Comparisons of Microstructure Formation,” in Shape Casting: The John Campbell Symposium 2005, 2005 TMS Annual Meeting, TMS, Warrendale, PA (2005).
Chadha, G., Allison, J.E., and Jones, J.W., “The Role of Microstructure on Ductility of Die-Cast AM50 and AM60 Magnesium Alloys,” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, vol. 38A, pp. 286–296 (2007).
Bowles, A.L., Griffiths, J.R., and Davidson, C.J., “Ductility and the Skin Effect in High Pressure Die Cast Mg-Al Alloys,” in Magnesium Technology 2001, TMS, Warrendale, PA (2001).
Gjestland, H., et al., “Optimizing the Magnesium Die Casting Process to Achieve Reliability in Automotive Applications,” SAE Technical Paper #2005-01-0333, SAE, Warrendale, PA (2005).
Sannes, S., et al., “Die Casting of Magnesium Alloys — The Importance of Controlling Die Filling and Solidification,” SAE Technical Paper # 2003-01-0183, SAE, Warrendale, PA (2003).
Wang, G., Froese, B., and Bakke, P., “Process and Property Relationships in AM60B Die Castings,” in Magnesium Technology 2003, TMS, Warrendale, PA (2003).
Cao, H. and Wessen, M., “Characteristics of Microstructure and Banded Defects in Die Cast AM50 Magnesium Components,” International Journal of Cast Metals Research, vol. 18, pp. 377–384 (2005).
Cao, H. and Wessen, M., “Modeling of Microstructure — Mechanical Property Relations in Cast Mg-Al Alloy,” in Modeling of Casting, Welding, and Advanced Solidification Processes X, TMS, Warrendale, PA (2003).
Gokhale, A., and Patel, G., “Origins of Variability in the Mechanical Properties of AM60 Mg Alloy Castings,” in Proceedings of Magnesium Technology, TMS, Warrendale, PA (2001).
Gokhale, A., and Patel, G., “Effect of Casting Defects on Mechanical Properties of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Castings,” in Aluminum 2002, Proceedings of the TMS 2002 Annual Meeting, TMS, Warrendale, PA (2002).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Forsmark, J.H., Boileau, J., Houston, D. et al. A Microstructural and Mechanical Property Study of an AM50 HPDC Magnesium Alloy. Inter Metalcast 6, 15–26 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03355474
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03355474