Kinetics of γ-Mg17Al12 phase dissolution and its effect on room temperature tensile properties in as-cast AZ80 magnesium alloy

As-cast AZ80 magnesium alloy consists of α-Mg, eutectic product of α-Mg and γ-Mg17Al12, with the latter present in the form of partially and fully divorce eutectic. There occurs dissolution of harder γ-Mg17Al12 phase during homogenization treatment at 400 ° and 439 °C. The proportion of the α-Mg and γ-Mg17Al12 phase was varied by solutionizing the alloy for various lengths of time at these temperatures, in order to investigate the kinetics of phase transformation and to evaluate the effect of phase proportion, size and morphology on room temperature tensile properties. It was found that the yield strength decreases with the increase in solutionizing temperature from 400° to 439 °C and at the same time, ductility in general increases with the increasing solutionizing temperature. The variation in tensile properties and the nature of fractographs were analyzed in terms of the effects of microstructure. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Development of a laboratory-based transmission diffraction technique for in situ deformation studies of Mg alloys

A laboratory-based transmission X-ray diffraction technique was developed to measure elastic lattice strains parallel to the loading direction during in situ tensile deformation. High-quality transmission X-ray diffraction data were acquired in a time frame suitable for in situ loading experiments by application of a polycapillary X-ray optic with a conventional laboratory Cu X-ray source. Based on the measurement of two standard reference materials [lanthanum hexaboride (NIST SRM 660b) and silicon (NIST SRM 640c)], precise instrumental alignment and calibration of the transmission diffraction geometry were realized. These results were also confirmed by the equivalent data acquired using the standard Bragg-Brentano measurement geometry. An empirical Caglioti function was employed to describe the instrumental broadening, while an axis of rotation correction was used to measure and correct the specimen displacement from the centre of the goniometer axis. For precise Bragg peak position and hkil intensity information, a line profile fitting methodology was implemented, with Pawley refinement used to measure the sample reference lattice spacings (d o (hkil)). It is shown that the relatively large X-ray probe size available (7 × 714mm) provides a relatively straightforward approach for improving the grain statistics for the study of metal alloys, where grain sizes in excess of 114μm can become problematic for synchrotron-based measurements. This new laboratory-based capability was applied to study the lattice strain evolution during the elastic-plastic transition in extruded and rolled magnesium alloys. A strain resolution of 2 × 10-4 at relatively low 2θ angles (20-65° 2θ) was achieved for the in situ tensile deformation studies. In situ measurement of the elastic lattice strain accommodation with applied stress in the magnesium alloys indicated the activation of dislocation slip and twin deformation mechanisms. Furthermore, measurement of the relative change in the intensity of 0002 and 10 3 was used to quantify {10 2} 011 tensile twin onset and growth with applied load.

Evaluation of coatings for mg alloys for biomedical applications

The aim of this work was to assess a number of coatings developed for Mg for biomedical applications. The Mg substrates were high-purity (HP) Mg and ME10, an alloy recently developed for improved extrudability. The research utilized the new fishing-line specimen configuration to allow direct comparison to our recent in vivo and in vitro measurements. The in vitro measurements were immersion tests of fishing-line specimens immersed in Nor's solution at 37 °C. Tests of substantial duration are needed because the corrosion rates of uncoated samples are low. Nor's solution is the designation given to Hank's solution through which CO2 is bubbled at a partial pressure of 0.009 atm. In this solution, pH is maintained constant by the interaction of CO2 and the bicarbonate ions in the solution. This is the same buffer as that which maintains the pH of blood. Coatings examined were: (i) an anodization using a bio-friendly alkaline electrolyte consisting of phosphate, borate, and metasilicate, (ii) octyltrimethoxysilane (OSi), (iii) 1,2-bis[triethoxysilyl]ethane (BTSE), (iv) anodization+OSi, and (v) anodization + BTSE. The performance of coated samples was comparable to or better than that of the uncoated samples, and there was a substantially better performance for the ME10 samples after anodization+OSi. Reasons for the various performances are discussed.

Microstructures, mechanical and corrosion properties and biocompatibility of as extruded Mg-Mn-Zn-Nd alloys for biomedical applications

Extruded Mg-1Mn-2Zn-xNd alloys (x=0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mass %) have been developed for their potential use as biomaterials. The extrusion on the alloys was performed at temperature of 623K with an extrusion ratio of 14.7 under an average extrusion speed of 4mm/s. The microstructure, mechanical property, corrosion behavior and biocompatibility of the extruded Mg-Mn-Zn-Nd alloys have been investigated in this study. The microstructure was examined using X-ray diffraction analysis and optical microscopy. The mechanical properties were determined from uniaxial tensile and compressive tests. The corrosion behavior was investigated using electrochemical measurement. The biocompatibility was evaluated using osteoblast-like SaOS2 cells. The experimental results indicate that all extruded Mg-1Mn-2Zn-xNd alloys are composed of both α phase of Mg and a compound of Mg7Zn3 with very fine microstructures, and show good ductility and much higher mechanical strength than that of cast pure Mg and natural bone. The tensile strength and elongation of the extruded alloys increase with an increase in neodymium content. Their compressive strength does not change significantly with an increase in neodymium content. The extruded alloys show good biocompatibility and much higher corrosion resistance than that of cast pure Mg. The extruded Mg-1Mn-2Zn-1.0Nd alloy shows a great potential for biomedical applications due to the combination of enhanced mechanical properties, high corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility.

Distinguishing between slip and twinning events during nanoindentation of magnesium alloy AZ31

Nanoindentation was performed in selected grain orientations close to [. 112-0] and [. 101-0] in magnesium alloy Mg-3Al-1Zn. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to examine the nanoindentation imprint. Two critical events, yielding and pop-in were observed in the depth-load curves. Slip trace analysis suggests that basal slip is responsible for yielding. The following pop-in events at higher loads are associated with the appearance {. 101-2} twins on the surface. The critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) was estimated to be in the range of 220-400. MPa for the initiation of basal slip.

Film formation in trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium diphenylphosphate ([P6,6,6,14][dpp]) ionic liquid on AA5083 aluminium alloy

Whilst ionic liquids (IL) have been shown to inhibit corrosion on some reactive metals and alloys by forming a surface film, e.g. Li and Mg, understanding of the interaction between ionic liquids and aluminium is lacking. This research study investigated the viability of film formation on AA5083 Aluminium Alloy by electrochemical treatments in the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium diphenylphosphate ([P6,6,6,14][dpp]) IL. Two-step anodic treatments were performed on AA5083 in the IL, followed by a comparison of the corrosion behaviour of the IL-treated samples with that of a control. It has been revealed that the two-step IL-treatment led to reduced current densities on AA5083 under cyclic voltammetry scan in the IL before and after the IL-treatment. Lower corrosion rates have been shown on all samples treated in IL at room temperature. Surface characterisation showed a non-uniform porous film on the 50°C IL-treated sample with a film thickness ranging between 37nm and 155nm. The IL-film enhanced the corrosion resistance of AA5083 by protecting the Al-matrix and Fe-rich intermetallic particles (IMPs). Although findings of this study suggest similar IL-film formation as that on Li and Mg, more research needs to be conducted to optimise the electrochemical treatment conditions and ultimately to develop a robust IL-film formation procedure for corrosion protection.

Precipitation processes in Al-Cu-Mg-Sn and Al-Cu-Mg-Sn-Ag

Microalloying trace elements into aluminum alloys have been shown to improve mechanical properties by altering the precipitation process. Here, trace amounts of Sn and (Sn + Ag) have been added to Al-1.1Cu-1.7Mg (at.%) and the effects have been investigated by a combination of hardness testing and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Hardness testing shows that the addition of Sn increases the hardness throughout the ageing process, and in combination with Ag, further increases the hardness and shortens the time to reach the peak hardness. The increase in hardness via Sn microalloying is attributed to the homogeneous distribution of S phase (Al2CuMg) precipitates. In the alloy microalloyed with both Sn and Ag, the microstructure is dominated by homogeneously distributed Ω phase (Al2Cu) precipitates in the peak strengthened condition. Given that neither spherical β-Sn precipitates, nor any other obvious nucleation sites for the Ω phase precipitates were observed using TEM, the mechanism for development of such homogeneous precipitation remains to be determined.

Effects of Nd on the microstructures, mechanical properties and in vitro corrosion behavior of cast Mg-1Mn-2Zn-xNd alloys

Effects of neodymium (Nd) on the microstructures, mechanical properties, in vitro corrosion behavior, and cytotoxicity of as-cast Mg- 1Mn-2Zn-xNd alloys (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, mass%) have been investigated to assess whether Nd is an effective element to increase the strength and corrosion resistance of Mg alloys, and to evaluate whether those alloys are suitable for biomedical applications. The microstructures were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis and optical microscopy. The mechanical properties were determined from uniaxial tensile and compressive tests. The corrosion behavior was studied using electrochemical measurement and cytotoxicity was evaluated using osteoblast-like SaOS2 cell. The results indicate that all the cast Mg-1Mn-2Zn-xNd alloys are composed of both alpha phase of magnesium (Mg) and a compound of Mg7Zn3, and their grain sizes decrease with Nd content. Nd is not an effective element to improve the strength and corrosion resistance of cast Mg-Mn-Zn alloys. Increase of Nd content from 0.5 to 1.5 does not significantly change biocompatibility of alloys. The cast alloys exhibit much better corrosion resistance than pure Mg and good biocompatibility.

Enhancement of properties in cast Mg-Y-Zn rod processed by severe plastic deformation

Ternary Mg-Y-Zn alloys have attracted considerable attention from researchers due to their excellent mechanical properties and unique microstructures, particularly from the presence of long-period stacking-order (LPSO) phases. Microstructural variations and the resulting mechanical properties can be affected by various processing routes, particularly those involving severe plastic deformation of a cast billet. The approach used in this work was based on subjecting cast Mg92Y4Zn4 (composition in wt%) billet to severe plastic deformation by three different routes, namely equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), high pressure torsion (HPT) and ECAP followed by HPT, with the aim of refining the microstructure and improving mechanical properties. Samples processed by ECAP were annealed by post-processing and tested in compression and tension. The effect of the processing route and the process parameters on the microstructure and the hardness of the Mg-Y-Zn alloy is reported. An overall positive effect of annealing treatment on the mechanical properties of ECAP-processed alloy is demonstrated. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Mechanical properties, in vitro corrosion and biocompatibility of newly developed biodegradable Mg-Zr-Sr-Ho alloys for biomedical applications

Our previous studies have demonstrated that Mg-Zr-Sr alloys can be anticipated as excellent biodegradable implant materials for load-bearing applications. In general, rare earth elements (REEs) are widely used in magnesium (Mg) alloys with the aim of enhancing the mechanical properties of Mg-based alloys. In this study, the REE holmium (Ho) was added to an Mg-1Zr-2Sr alloy at different concentrations of Mg1Zr2SrxHo alloys (x = 0, 1, 3, 5 wt. %) and the microstructure, mechanical properties, degradation behaviour and biocompatibility of the alloys were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the addition of Ho to Mg1Zr2Sr led to the formation of the intermetallic phases MgHo3, Mg2Ho and Mg17Sr2 which resulted in enhanced mechanical strength and decreased degradation rates of the Mg-Zr-Sr-Ho alloys. Furthermore, Ho addition (≤5 wt. %) to Mg-Zr-Sr alloys led to enhancement of cell adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast cells on the Mg-Zr-Sr-Ho alloys. The in vitro biodegradation and the biocompatibility of the Mg-Zr-Sr-Ho alloys were both influenced by the Ho concentration in the Mg alloys; Mg1Zr2Sr3Ho exhibited lower degradation rates than Mg1Zr2Sr and displayed the best biocompatibility compared with the other alloys.