Microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ31-Ce prepared by multipass solid-phase synthesis

ABSTRACT

The effects of extrusion passes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the magnesium AZ31-Ce alloy prepared by solid-phase synthesis were studied. The deformation mechanism of Mg-Ce chips was also discussed. The alloy was characterised by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and an electronic universal strength tester. The results show that Mg-Ce chips are constantly crushed and deformed, and finally exhibit a fine granulated shape as the number of extrusion passes increases. The mechanical properties of the alloy markedly increase with further extrusion passes. After five passes, the tensile strength and elongation reach 311 MPa and 9.83%, respectively. The solid-phase synthesis method has the potential to prepare wrought magnesium alloys with rare earth alloying additions.

KEYWORDS:

• AZ31 magnesium alloy chip
• Mg-Ce intermediate alloy chip
• solid-phase synthesis
• microstructure
• mechanical properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Number 51404082]; the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province, China [Grant Number E201442]; the Science Funds for the Young Innovative Talents of HUST, China [Grant Number No. 201510]; the Harbin Special Funds for Creative Talents in Science and Technology, China [Grant Number 2013RFQXJ137]; and the Foundation of Educational Committee of Heilongjiang Province, China [Grant Number 12531116].