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Intermetallic Phase Formation in Mg–Ag–Nd (QE) and Mg–Ag–Nd–Zn (QEZ) Alloys

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Part of the book series: The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series ((MMMS))

Abstract

The intermetallic phase (designated δ phase) in the solution-treated microstructure of commercial magnesium alloy QE22 (Mg–2.5Ag–2.0Nd–0.7Zr, wt%) has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy, electron diffraction, atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and thermodynamic modeling. In contrast to the previous reports, an orthorhombic structure (space group Cmcm) and a composition of NdAgMg11 are determined. The present experimental data are used to construct a thermodynamic description of the Mg–Ag–Nd system which is embedded in a multicomponent Mg alloy database. Implications on the formation of temperature range and thermal stability of this phase and alloy solidification are discussed based on the calculated Mg–Nd–Ag phase diagram and Scheil solidification paths of alloys. The impact of Ag-replacement in such QE alloys by Zn-addition in the Mg–Ag–Nd–Zn (QEZ) alloy system is elaborated using appropriate thermodynamic simulations to reveal the competition with other intermetallics. These data are suggested to contribute to ICME of magnesium alloys.

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Acknowledgements

This study is supported by the Australian Research Council and National Natural Science Foundation of China (51771036, 51131009, and 51421001), National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFB0700402), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2018CDJDCL0019), and Graduate Student Research Innovation Project of Chongqing University.

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Correspondence to Rainer Schmid-Fetzer .

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Schmid-Fetzer, R., Nie, JF., Zhao, X., Chen, H. (2020). Intermetallic Phase Formation in Mg–Ag–Nd (QE) and Mg–Ag–Nd–Zn (QEZ) Alloys. In: Jordon, J., Miller, V., Joshi, V., Neelameggham, N. (eds) Magnesium Technology 2020. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36647-6_13

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