Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Alloys

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Structural Integrity of Metals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 14505

Special Issue Editors

School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Interests: magnesium alloys; texture; deformation mechanism; mechanical properties; twinning behavior; gradient microstructure; precipitation behavior
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Guest Editor
School of Metallurgy and Material Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
Interests: magnesium alloys; plastic processing; stretch formability; asymmetric extrusion; finite element numerical simulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Magnesium alloys have attractive properties such as high specific strength, high specific stiffness, and recyclability. Because of these characteristics, magnesium alloys are increasingly used in automotive, aviation, aerospace, electronics, and other consumer products. This also places a great demand on the mechanical properties of magnesium alloys.

The mechanical properties of magnesium alloys are closely related to microstructure, including grain size, texture, precipitates, alloying elements, etc. In order to obtain the expected performance, a large number of scholars have devoted themselves to the development of new alloys and new processing technologies (including casting technology, plastic processing technology, powder metallurgy, 3D printing, etc.) to tailor the microstructure.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an open platform to share the latest research results in the development of high-performance magnesium alloys. This Special Issue covers original research and review articles on recent advances in alloy design, microstructure modification, processing technology, deformation mechanism, and computer simulation.

Dr. Bo Song
Dr. Qingshan Yang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • magnesium alloys
  • magnesium matrix composites
  • development of new alloys
  • new processing technologies
  • microstructure
  • mechanical properties

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3228 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal Coating of the Biodegradable Mg-2Ag Alloy
by Meysam Mohammadi-Zerankeshi, Mohammad Zohrevand and Reza Alizadeh
Metals 2023, 13(7), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13071260 - 13 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1329
Abstract
Developing antibacterial biodegradable Mg alloys is of paramount importance to prevent infection and inflammation during the healing process. In this regard, the Mg-2Ag alloy is proposed as a suitable candidate with appropriate biocompatibility as well as antibacterial activity. However, its rapid degradation rate [...] Read more.
Developing antibacterial biodegradable Mg alloys is of paramount importance to prevent infection and inflammation during the healing process. In this regard, the Mg-2Ag alloy is proposed as a suitable candidate with appropriate biocompatibility as well as antibacterial activity. However, its rapid degradation rate limits its clinical application. To tackle this problem, the hydrothermal coating technique was employed to synthesize a barrier coating to enhance the degradability of the Mg-2Ag alloy using distilled water as the reagent. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that a hydroxide coating was formed on the studied samples. Furthermore, it was observed that the substrate microstructure plays an essential role in the obtained coating quality and hence, the degradation behavior. The dendritic microstructure with the nonuniform distribution of Ag-rich precipitates of the as-cast Mg-2Ag alloy lead to undesirable cracks and holes in the coating owing to Mg deficiency to form Mg(OH)2, whereas the solution-treated alloy with a homogenized microstructure resulted in the formation of a more compact, thick, and integrated coating, which remarkably improved the corrosion resistance of the alloy. Full article
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28 pages, 13984 KiB  
Article
On the Plasticity and Deformation Mechanisms in Magnesium Crystals
by Konstantin D. Molodov, Talal Al-Samman and Dmitri A. Molodov
Metals 2023, 13(4), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13040640 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2174
Abstract
This work presents an overview of the mechanical response and microstructure evolution of specifically oriented pure magnesium single crystals under plane strain compression at room temperature. Crystals of ‘hard’ orientations compressed along the c-axis exhibited limited room temperature ductility, although pyramidal ⟨c [...] Read more.
This work presents an overview of the mechanical response and microstructure evolution of specifically oriented pure magnesium single crystals under plane strain compression at room temperature. Crystals of ‘hard’ orientations compressed along the c-axis exhibited limited room temperature ductility, although pyramidal ⟨c + a⟩ slip was readily activated, fracturing along crystallographic 112¯4 planes as a result of highly localized shear. Profuse 101¯2 extension twinning was the primary mode of incipient deformation in the case of orientations favorably aligned for c-axis extension. In both cases of compression along ⟨112¯0⟩ and ⟨101¯0⟩ directions, 101¯2 extension twins completely converted the starting orientations into twin orientations; the subsequent deformation behavior of the differently oriented crystals, however, was remarkably different. The formation of 101¯2 extension twins could not be prevented by the channel-die constraints when c-axis extension was confined. The presence of high angle grain boundaries and, in particular, 101¯2 twin boundaries was found to be a prerequisite for the activation of 101¯1 contraction twinning by providing nucleation sites for the latter. Prismatic slip was not found to operate at room temperature in the case of starting orientations most favorably aligned for prismatic slip; instead, cooperative 101¯2 extension and 101¯1 contraction twinning was activated. A two-stage work hardening behavior was observed in ‘soft’ Mg crystals aligned for single or coplanar basal slip. The higher work hardening in the second stage was attributed to changes in the microstructure rather than the interaction of primary dislocations with forest dislocations. Full article
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10 pages, 4144 KiB  
Article
Effect of Ca Element on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Single-Phase Mg–Sc Alloy
by Cheng Zhang, Cheng Peng, Jin Huang, Yanchun Zhao, Tingzhuang Han, Guangang Wang, Liang Wu and Guangsheng Huang
Metals 2022, 12(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/met12010093 - 4 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1694
Abstract
The effect of Ca on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of a single-phase Mg–Sc alloy was investigated. The microstructure was characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion behavior was measured by hydrogen evolution tests and electrochemical measurements. With the addition of [...] Read more.
The effect of Ca on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of a single-phase Mg–Sc alloy was investigated. The microstructure was characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion behavior was measured by hydrogen evolution tests and electrochemical measurements. With the addition of microalloyed Ca, the grain size of Mg-0.3Sc alloy is refined and the Mg2Ca phase particle is precipitated. The corrosion test results reveal that the addition of microalloyed Ca is beneficial to the corrosion resistance of Mg-0.3Sc single-phase alloy, which is related to the grain refinement and the protective performance of the corrosion product film. As the content of Ca increases, the corrosion resistance of the alloy first increases and then decreases, which is mainly related to the microstructure of the alloy. Full article
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11 pages, 5690 KiB  
Article
Role of Al in the Solution Strengthening of Mg–Al Binary Alloys
by Tingting Liu, Yanglu Liu, Lu Xiao, Shibo Zhou and Bo Song
Metals 2022, 12(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/met12010084 - 4 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1826
Abstract
Mg–Al binary alloys in the concentration range from 0 to 4.0 wt.% Al have been prepared under conventional casting conditions. The as-cast Mg and Mg–Al alloys after solution treatment were processed via hot extrusion at 350 °C. The results show that Al has [...] Read more.
Mg–Al binary alloys in the concentration range from 0 to 4.0 wt.% Al have been prepared under conventional casting conditions. The as-cast Mg and Mg–Al alloys after solution treatment were processed via hot extrusion at 350 °C. The results show that Al has a positive influence on grain refinement and solution strengthening. The as-extruded Mg–Al alloys are fully recrystallized, and the tensile yield strength of the binary alloys is two times higher than that of pure Mg. Furthermore, the elongations of Mg–Al alloys are much higher than that of pure Mg. In addition, Mg and Mg–Al alloys were further studied by the viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) model to explore the activation and evolution of deformation modes. The simulation results match well with the experimental results. Full article
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13 pages, 15813 KiB  
Article
Improving Mechanical Properties of Mg–Sc Alloy by Surface AZ31 Layer
by Cheng Zhang, Cheng Peng, Jin Huang, Yanchun Zhao, Tingzhuang Han, Guangang Wang, Liang Wu and Guangsheng Huang
Metals 2021, 11(12), 2021; https://doi.org/10.3390/met11122021 - 14 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2177
Abstract
Building a gradient structure inside the Mg alloy structure can be expected to greatly improve its comprehensive mechanical properties. In this study, AZ31/Mg–Sc laminated composites with gradient grain structure were prepared by hot extrusion. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg–1Sc alloy [...] Read more.
Building a gradient structure inside the Mg alloy structure can be expected to greatly improve its comprehensive mechanical properties. In this study, AZ31/Mg–Sc laminated composites with gradient grain structure were prepared by hot extrusion. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg–1Sc alloy with different extrusion temperatures and surface AZ31 fine-grain layers were investigated. The alloy has a more obvious gradient microstructure when extruded at 350 °C. The nanoscale hardness value of Mg–1Sc alloy was improved through fine-grain strengthening and solution strengthening of the surface AZ31 fine-grain layer. The strength of Mg–1Sc alloy was improved due to the fine-grain strengthening and dislocation strengthening of the surface AZ31 fine-grain layer, and the elongation of Mg–1Sc alloy was increased by improving the distribution of the microstructure. Full article
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17 pages, 6704 KiB  
Article
Deformation Behavior and Dynamic Recrystallization of Mg-1Li-1Al Alloy
by Xiaoyan Feng, Xue Pang, Xu He, Ruihong Li, Zili Jin, Huiping Ren and Tingting Liu
Metals 2021, 11(11), 1696; https://doi.org/10.3390/met11111696 - 25 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1863
Abstract
In this paper, the hot workability of Mg-1Li-1Al (LA11) alloy is assessed through a uniaxial compression test in a temperature range from 200 to 400 °C and a strain rate, έ, of 1–0.01 s−1. The present study reveals that flow stress [...] Read more.
In this paper, the hot workability of Mg-1Li-1Al (LA11) alloy is assessed through a uniaxial compression test in a temperature range from 200 to 400 °C and a strain rate, έ, of 1–0.01 s−1. The present study reveals that flow stress increases when the strain rate increases and deformation temperature decreases. Based on the hyperbolic sine equation, the flow stress constitutive equation of this alloy under high-temperature deformation is established. The average activation energy was 116.5 kJ/mol. Avrami equation was employed to investigate the dynamic recrystallization (DRX). The DRX mechanism affected by the deformation conditions and Zener–Hollomon parameters is revealed. Finally, the relationship between DRX volume fraction and deformation parameter is verified based on microstructure evolution, which is consistent with the theoretical prediction. Full article
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12 pages, 3414 KiB  
Article
The Corrosion Resistance of Al Film on AZ31 Magnesium Alloys by Magnetron Sputtering
by Zhengyuan Gao, Dong Yang, Chengjin Sun, Lianteng Du, Xiang Zhang and Zhiguo An
Metals 2021, 11(10), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/met11101522 - 25 Sep 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2233
Abstract
Nano Al films were prepared on AZ31 magnesium alloy samples by DC magnetron sputtering. The effects of sputtering power on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of the Al film were investigated. The results show that the surface of aluminum film is dense and [...] Read more.
Nano Al films were prepared on AZ31 magnesium alloy samples by DC magnetron sputtering. The effects of sputtering power on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of the Al film were investigated. The results show that the surface of aluminum film is dense and polycrystalline state, and it is oriented along the Al (111) crystal plane. The grain size of Al film first increases and then decreases with the increase of sputtering power. When the sputtering power exceeds 100 W, there is no insignificant effect on the orientation of the Al crystals and the corrosion current density of the samples with Al film are reduced by two orders of magnitude. The corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy samples with the Al film magnetron sputtered varies with the sputtering power. Compared with low sputtering power, the Al film sputtered by high power has the most excellent corrosion resistance, but too high sputtering power will lead to micro cracks on the Al film, which will adversely affect the corrosion resistance. Full article
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