Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Semisolid Microstructure of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Refined by MgCO3

  • Published:
International Journal of Metalcasting Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The microstructural evolution of an AZ91D alloy refined using 1% MgCO3 is investigated during partial remelting at 580C (1076F). Simultaneously, the effect of the initial as-cast microstructure on the semisolid microstructure and the microstructure uniformity of semisolid rods are discussed. The results indicate that the microstructural evolution includes four stages:

  • the initial coarsening

  • structure separation

  • spheroidization

  • final coarsening

The finer the as-cast microstructure, the smaller and more spheroidal the primary particles are in the semisolid microstructure. For alloys with a grain size of 50–100μm, the resulting primary particle size is slightly larger than the initial grain size. But for the alloys having larger size grains (>150μm), the result is just the opposite. The main reason which leads to this difference is the different evolution mechanisms determined by the as-cast microstructure. To obtain a semisolid ingot with uniform microstructure, an ingot with uniform as-cast microstructure must be used.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fan, Z., “Semisolid Metal Processing,” Int’l Materials Review, vol. 47, pp. 49–85 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Flemings, M.C., “Behavior of Metal Alloys in the Semisolid State,” Metallurgical and Materials Trans. A, vol. 22, no. 5, pp. 957–981 (1991).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Robson, J.D., Zhou, X., Thompson, G.E., “Magnesium Research: Scientific Challenges,” Materials Technology, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 133–136 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Du, W., Sun, Y., Min, X., Xue, F., Zhu, M., Wu, D., “Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Al Based Alloy with Calcium and Rare Earth Additions,” Materials Science and Engineering A, vol. 356, pp. 1–7 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Li, M., Tamura, T., Miwa, K., “Microstructure and Microtexture Formation of AZ91D Magnesium Alloys Solidified in a Static Magnetic Field,” Metallurgical and Materials Trans. A, vol. 40, no. 6, pp. 1422–1435 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Nami, B., Shabestari, S.G., Miresmaeili, S.M., Razavi, H., Mirdamadi, S., “The Effect of Rare Earth Elements on the Kinetics of the Isothermal Coarsening of the Globular Solid Phase in Semisolid AZ91 Alloy Produced Via SIMA Process,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 489, issue 2, pp. 570–575 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang, Q.Q., Cao, Z.Y., Liu, Y.B., Zhang, Y.F., Zhang, L., Zhang, M. L., Wu, R.Z., “Effect of Asymmetrical Deformation on the Microstructure Evolution of Semisolid AZ91D Alloy,” Materials Science and Engineering A, vol. 488, issues 1–2, pp. 260–265 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang, J.G., Lin, H.Q., Wang, H.Y., Jiang, Q.C., “Effects of Different Processing Parameters on the Semisolid Microstructure of the AZ91D Alloy during Partial Remelting,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 466, issues 1–2, pp. 98–105 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang, J.G., Lin, H.Q., Li, Y.Q., Jiang, Q.C., “Effect of Initial As-cast Microstructure on Semisolid Microstructure of AZ91D Alloy during the Strain-induced Melt Activation Process,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 457, issues 1–2, pp. 251–258 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Luo, S.J., Chen, Q., Zhao, Z.D., “Effects of Processing Parameters on the Microstructure of ECAE-formed AZ91D Magnesium Alloy in the Semi-solid State,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, issues 1–2, vol. 477, pp. 602–607 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ji, Z.S., Hu, M.L., Sugiyama, S., Yanagimoto, J., “Formation Process of AZ31B Semi-solid Microstructures through Strain-induced Melt Activation Method,” Materials Characterization, vol. 59, issue 7, pp. 905–911 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Yang, M.B., Shen, J., Pan, F.S., “Effect of TiC Addition on Semisolid Isothermal Heat Treated Microstructure of ZA84 Magnesium Alloy,” Materials Science and Technology, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 393–399 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Zhao, Z.D., Chen, Q., Kang, F., Shu, D.Y., “Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Mechanical Properties of Thixoformed AZ91D Magnesium Alloy with the Addition of Yttrium,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 482, issues 1–2, pp. 455–467 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhao, Z.D., Chen, Q., Hu, C.K., Huang, S.H., Wang, Y.Q., “Near-liquidus Forging, Partial Remelting and Thixoforging of an AZ91D + Y Magnesium Alloy,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 485, issues 1–2, pp. 627–636 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Zhao, Z.D., Chen, Q., Chao, H.Y., Huang, S.H., “Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Mechanical Properties of Thixoforged ZK60-Y Magnesium Alloys Produced by Two Different Routes,” Materials and Design, vol. 31, issue 4, pp. 1906–1916 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zha, M., Wang, H.Y., Xue, P.F., Li, L.L., Liu, B., Jiang, Q.C., “Microstructural Evolution of Mg-5Si-1Al Alloy During Partial Remelting,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 472, issues 1–2, pp. L18–L22 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Wang, H.Y., Zha, M., Liu, B., Wang, D.M., Jiang, Q. C., “Microstructural Evolution Behavior of Mg-5Si-1Al Alloy Modified with Sr-Sb during Isothermal Heat Treatment,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 480, issue 2, pp. L25–L28 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Chen, T.J., Hao, Y., Li, Y.D., Ma, Y., “Effect of Solid Solution Treatment on Semisolid Microstructure of Dendritic Zinc Alloy ZA27,” Materials Science and Technology, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 1313–1320 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Chen, T.J., Jiang, X.D., Ma, Y., Wang, R.Q., Li, Y.D., Hao, Y., “Grain Refinement of AZ91D Alloy by MgCO3,” Materials Research, vol. 14, pp. 124–133 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Tzimas, E., Zavaliangos, A., “Evolution of Near-equiaxed Microstructure in the Semisolid State,” Materials Science and Engineering A, vol. 289, issues 1–2, pp. 228–240 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Chen, Q., “Research on Effect of AZ91D-Y Billets Prepared by Different Methods on Semisolid Forging,” PhD thesis, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Chen, T.J., Ma, Y., Li, Y.D., Lu, G.X., Hao, Y., “Microstructural Evolution of Equal Channel Angular Pressed AZ91D Magnesium Alloy During Partial Remelting”, Materials Science and Technology, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 1197–1206 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chen, P.C., Zhu L.M., Li Z., Fundamental of Metal Forming, 1st ed., p. 77, China Machine Press, Beijing (2003).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wang, R.Q., “Grain Refinement, Partial Remelting and Thixoforming of Magnesium Alloys,” Master Thesis, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, China (2010).

  25. Loue, W.R., Suery, M., “Microstructural Evolution during Partial Remelting of AlSi7Mg Alloys,” Materials Science and Engineering A, vol. 203, issues 1–2, pp. 1–13 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Wang, J.L., Su, Y.H., Tsao, C.-Y. A., “Structural Evolution of Conventional Cast Dendritic and Spray-cast Non-dendritic Structures during Isothermal Holding in the Semi-solid State,” Scripta Materialia, vol. 37, issue 12, pp. 2003–2007 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Chen, T.J., Fu, M.F., Ma, Y., Li, Y.D., Hao, Y., “Microstructural Evolution of Grain Refined in situ Sip/ZA27 Composite during Partial Remelting,” Materials Science and Technology, Doi 10.1179/026708310X12668415533766.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Gansu Advanced Nonferrous Metal Materials, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, China

    T. Chen, X. Jiang, H. Huang, Y. Ma, Y. Li & Y. Hao

Authors
  1. T. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. X. Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Y. Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Y. Hao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chen, T., Jiang, X., Huang, H. et al. Semisolid Microstructure of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Refined by MgCO3. Inter Metalcast 6, 43–54 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03355477

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03355477

Keywords

Search

Navigation