Semi-solid processing of aluminum and magnesium alloys: Status, opportunity, and challenge in China

To improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, magnesium alloys are being considered for automotive and aerospace applications because of their high strength-to-weight ratio. The objective of this thesis was to study monotonic and cyclic deformation behavior of two semi-solid processed (thixomolded) magnesium alloys, AZ91D and AM60B. The fatigue life of these thixomolded alloys was observed to be higher than that of their die cast counterparts. As the total strain amplitude increased, the stress amplitude and plastic strain amplitude increased, while the pseudoelastic modulus decreased. The change in the modulus was attributed to the nonlinear (pseudoelastic) behavior caused by twinning-detwinning during cyclic deformation. The fatigue life increased with decreasing strain ratio, and partial mean stress relaxation occurred mainly in the initial 10-20% of the fatigue life. The fatigue life of theAM60B alloy improved after solution or solution-aging treatment, and the monotonic strength increased by aging, while the thixomolded condition itself exhibited moderate monotonic strength and fatigue life.

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Continuous Casting of Magnesium Billets for Semi-Solid Processing

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.475-479.517 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 475-479 ◽

pp. 517-520

Author(s):

Hwa Chul Jung ◽

Kwang Seon Shin

Keyword(s):

Aluminum Alloys ◽

Continuous Casting ◽

Magnesium Alloys ◽

Casting Process ◽

Az91 Alloy ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Limited Information ◽

Continuous Casting Process ◽

Dendritic Microstructure ◽

Semi Solid

Semi-solid processing is recognized as an attractive alternative method for the near net-shape production of engineering components. Although there has been a significant progress in semi-solid processing of aluminum alloys, very limited information is available on semi-solid processing of magnesium alloys, except for the thixomolding process. Continuous casting process has been utilized to produce the billets with the desirable cross-section at a reduced production cost for many metals, such as steel, copper and aluminum alloys. It has also been commercially utilized to produce the aluminum billets with non-dendritic microstructure for subsequent thixocasting process. However, continuous casting of magnesium billets for semi-solid processing has not yet been commercialized due to the difficulties involved in casting of magnesium alloys. In the present study, a continuous casting process has been developed for the production of the cylindrical billets of magnesium alloys for the subsequent thixocasting process. In order to obtain the desired non-dendritic microstructure with an excellent degree of homogeneity both in microstructure and composition, an electromagnetic stirring system has been utilized. A continuous casting process has been proven to be an efficient way to produce the high quality billets of magnesium alloys for semi-solid processing. A prototype air conditioner cover was produced using the continuously cast billets of AZ91 alloy.

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