Substitution of Rare Earth Elements in Hot Rolled Magnesium Alloys with Improved Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Magnesium alloys containing rare earth elements offer excellent strength at room temperature as well as at elevated temperatures and are distinguished by a high ignition-resistance. However, with regard to cost efficiency and the conversation of resources, these alloys are not suitable for commercial industrial applications. Therefore, the research project SubSEEMag at the Institute of Metal Forming/Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg focusses on the development of alternative alloy compositions, which meet the requirements on materials properties of magnesium alloys for industrial applications and production costs. Several magnesium alloys containing zinc, aluminum, manganese and calcium were poured in cylindrical molds at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht. The characterization of the as-cast condition was carried out by light and scanning electron microscopy. Phase compositions were determined using EDX analysis. The Mg alloys were homogenized at different temperatures. Afterwards, hot rolling to a final thickness of 2.7 mm was conducted. The influence of temperature and time of the annealing on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the hot rolled condition have been investigated. The results were discussed in comparison to commercial available Mg-RE alloys.

Microstructural and Textural Investigation of an Mg-Zn-Al-Ca Alloy after Hot Plane Strain Compression

“…Further advantages in the combination of Zn and Ca in Mg alloys are the weakening of the basal texture and the improvement of formability. Consequently, various novel alloys have already been developed and investigated: Mg-2.4Zn-0.1Ag-0.1Ca-0.1Zr [ 12 ], Mg-3Zn-0.3Zr-0.25Ca-0.15Mn [ 13 ], Mg-1Sn-1Ca-0.5Zn [ 14 ] and Mg-2Zn-1Al-0.3Ca [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The investigations are mainly aimed at microstructure and texture development, considering the mechanical property profile and formability as a result of thermomechanical treatment.…”

Microstructure and Hot Deformation Behavior of Twin Roll Cast Mg-2Zn-1Al-0.3Ca Alloy

“…In recent years, the ZAX210 alloy has gained importance, due to its advantageous strength and formability because of Ca addition. Current studies are concerned, among other research, with casting and hot rolling of the ZAX210 alloy as well as the resulting microstructure, texture and mechanical properties [21,22,23]. Hoppe et al [23] revealed a texture of the cast and hot rolled ZAX210 sheet exhibiting two peaks along the rolling direction as well as a basal pole spread in transverse direction.…”