Improving element uniformity and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy fabricated by twin roll casting with superheat melt treatment

The effect of superheat melt treatment(SMT) on microstructure and properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy fabricated by twin roll casting(TRC) was analyzed using optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy, emission electron probe micro analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. SMT increased the subcooling degree of melt during TRC. The solidification microstructure with high dendrite density and small dendrite spacing was obtained. The second phase was evenly distributed between dendrites and the solute concentration gradient was decreased. Intergranular solute aggregation caused by Reynolds’ dilatancy in TRC slab was effectively suppressed. The homogeneous solute distribution of TRC slab with SMT can be realized by short-time homogenization heat treatment. The size of insoluble particles was greatly reduced. The complete decomposition of non-equilibrium eutectic phase increased the solute concentration in α-Al, which promoted the precipitation of precipitates during aging heat treatment. The tensile strength and yield strength of T6 slab were improved, while the uniform elongation are almost not decreased. The strength and uniform of slab in T4P state were both improved. The obtained results can help further shorten the production cycle of TRC slabs and improve mechanical properties.

Microstructure Analysis and Bulk Texture Study in Wide Magnesium Alloy Sheets Processed by Twin-Roll Casting

The wide magnesium (Mg) alloy sheets produced by twin-roll casting (TRC) are prone to have an inhomogeneous microstructure and basal texture. Texture has a significant effect on the properties of Mg alloy sheets for the processes after TRC, which can be greatly modified by alloy composition. However, systematic studies on the bulk texture of TRCed Mg alloy sheets using neutron diffraction are lacking. In this study, neutron diffraction was used to explore the bulk textures in different positions of the Mg, Mg–Al–Zn, and Mg–Al–Sn–Zn alloy sheets produced by TRC, besides microstructure and micro-texture analysis using field emission scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattering diffraction. The influence of alloy composition on the microstructure and texture evolution of TRCed Mg alloy sheets is explored and discussed. The TRCed pure Mg sheet possesses a relatively strong basal texture, and the texture distribution is inhomogeneous; while TRCed Mg–Al–Sn–Zn alloy sheets feature much weaker textures and a relatively homogenous distribution in different positions. The present study provides guidance for the control of texture via tailoring alloy compositions, which provides candidate Mg alloys suitable for the TRC process.