Effect of disturbing conditions in semi-solid state on microstructure evolution of magnesium alloy

In this paper the microstructure evolution of AZ91HP magnesium alloy casts produced under different disturbing treatment conditions such as non-disturbing, argon blowing and mechanical stirring in semi-solid state after holding a short time was studied. The results show that the grains of AZ91HP alloy casts refined, the secondary dendritic arms grown and the dendrites tend to rosette shape with the decrease of holding temperature. External disturbance can accelerate the evolution process, and the spherical primary α phase formed easily under mechanical stirring treatment condition. The formation of non-dendritic structure is owing to ripening of the dendritic arms, refinement of the grains and movement of the primary formed solid phases. Disturbing treatments in semi-solid state induce more equilibrium solidification and decrease the amount of brittle β-Mg17Al12 phase. Blowing argon into the refined and modified magnesium alloy in semi-solid state can obtain homogeneous non-dendritic structure and the net shaped β phase distributed on α-Mg phase boundaries become fine and thin, this may be have a good effect on the mechanical properties of the magnesium alloy casts. Due to the low disturbing strength, argon blowing can maintain the metallurgy quality of the semi-solid slurry well, and also have high efficiency to make it. This technology need not new complex equipments and can be practiced in conventional casting conditions, so it may be used in industrialize manufacture.

Duke Scholars

Author Zhaohui Wang Pathology