Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment Process

In the present study, different solid solution and aging processes of as-cast and as-compressed ZM6 (Mg<sub>2.6</sub>Nd<sub>0.4</sub>Zn<sub>0.4</sub>Zr) alloy were designed, and the microstructure and precipitation strengthening mechanisms were discussed. After th...

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Main Authors: Jia Fu, Su Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Materials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/24/7760
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author Jia Fu
Su Chen
author_facet Jia Fu
Su Chen
author_sort Jia Fu
collection DOAJ
description In the present study, different solid solution and aging processes of as-cast and as-compressed ZM6 (Mg<sub>2.6</sub>Nd<sub>0.4</sub>Zn<sub>0.4</sub>Zr) alloy were designed, and the microstructure and precipitation strengthening mechanisms were discussed. After the pre-aging treatment, a large amount of G.P. zones formed in the α-Mg matrix over the course of the subsequent secondary G.P. prescription, where the fine and dispersed Mg<sub>12</sub>(Nd,Zn) phases were precipitated at the grain boundaries. The pre-aging and secondary aging processes resulted in the Mg<sub>12</sub>(Nd,Zn) phase becoming globular, preventing grain boundary sliding and decreasing grain boundary diffusion. Meanwhile, precipitation phase â″(Mg<sub>3</sub>Nd) demonstrated a coherent relationship with the α-Mg matrix after the pre-aging process, and after the secondary aging phase, Mg<sub>12</sub>Nd increases and became semi-coherent in the matrix. Compared to an as-cast ZM6 alloy, the yield strength of the as-compressed ZM6 alloy increased sharply due to an increase in the yield strength that was proportional to the particle spacing, where the dislocation bypassed the second phase particle. Compared to the single-stage aging process, the two-stage aging process greatly improved the mechanical properties of both the as-cast and as-compressed ZM6 alloys. The difference between the as-cast and as-compressed states is that an as-compressed ZM6 alloy with more dislocations and twins has more dispersed precipitates in the G.P. zones after secondary aging, meaning that it is greatly strengthened after the two-stage aging treatment process.
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spelling doaj.art-e2e11307bf9547a0b420e0e370d697ad2023-11-23T09:22:38ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442021-12-011424776010.3390/ma14247760Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment ProcessJia Fu0Su Chen1School of Material of Science and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, ChinaSchool of Material of Science and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, ChinaIn the present study, different solid solution and aging processes of as-cast and as-compressed ZM6 (Mg<sub>2.6</sub>Nd<sub>0.4</sub>Zn<sub>0.4</sub>Zr) alloy were designed, and the microstructure and precipitation strengthening mechanisms were discussed. After the pre-aging treatment, a large amount of G.P. zones formed in the α-Mg matrix over the course of the subsequent secondary G.P. prescription, where the fine and dispersed Mg<sub>12</sub>(Nd,Zn) phases were precipitated at the grain boundaries. The pre-aging and secondary aging processes resulted in the Mg<sub>12</sub>(Nd,Zn) phase becoming globular, preventing grain boundary sliding and decreasing grain boundary diffusion. Meanwhile, precipitation phase â″(Mg<sub>3</sub>Nd) demonstrated a coherent relationship with the α-Mg matrix after the pre-aging process, and after the secondary aging phase, Mg<sub>12</sub>Nd increases and became semi-coherent in the matrix. Compared to an as-cast ZM6 alloy, the yield strength of the as-compressed ZM6 alloy increased sharply due to an increase in the yield strength that was proportional to the particle spacing, where the dislocation bypassed the second phase particle. Compared to the single-stage aging process, the two-stage aging process greatly improved the mechanical properties of both the as-cast and as-compressed ZM6 alloys. The difference between the as-cast and as-compressed states is that an as-compressed ZM6 alloy with more dislocations and twins has more dispersed precipitates in the G.P. zones after secondary aging, meaning that it is greatly strengthened after the two-stage aging treatment process.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/24/7760ZM6 magnesium alloyheat treatmentmicrostructuremechanical properties
spellingShingle Jia Fu
Su Chen
Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment Process
Materials
ZM6 magnesium alloy
heat treatment
microstructure
mechanical properties
title Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment Process
title_full Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment Process
title_fullStr Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment Process
title_full_unstemmed Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment Process
title_short Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Compressed ZM6 Magnesium Alloys during the Two-Stage Aging Treatment Process
title_sort microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of as cast and as compressed zm6 magnesium alloys during the two stage aging treatment process
topic ZM6 magnesium alloy
heat treatment
microstructure
mechanical properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/24/7760
work_keys_str_mv AT jiafu microstructureevolutionandmechanicalpropertiesofascastandascompressedzm6magnesiumalloysduringthetwostageagingtreatmentprocess
AT suchen microstructureevolutionandmechanicalpropertiesofascastandascompressedzm6magnesiumalloysduringthetwostageagingtreatmentprocess