Founding Research Journal

Founding Research Journal

Investigation of Microstructure and Chemical Composition of Mg-Ag-Ce-Zr Cast Alloy (QE22)‎

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
Seyyed Sadra Yousefi Bonab 1
Hossein Aghajani 2
Seyyed Reza Damadi 3
Golnaz Naseri Azari 4
Mir Saeed Safaei 5
1 M.Sc., Materials Engineering Department, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Materials Engineering Department, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Materials Engineering Department, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
4 B.Sc., Materials Engineering Department, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
5 M.Sc., Daghigh Felez Iranian Co., Tehran, Iran
10.22034/frj.2019.152201.1056
Abstract
The solidification microstructure of Mg-Ag-Ce-Zr cast alloy (QE22) was investigated. First, the thermodynamic simulation was performed using of JMatPro software. Then, for experimental experiments, melting, alloying and casting operations were performed using a low pressure casting machine under argon atmosphere. Also for T6 heat treatment, the samples were heated at 525 ° C and then quenched in water and aged at 200 °C. In order to the microstructural and phase investigations, the optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped to EDS analysis and X-Ray diffraction apparatus were used.  Hardness measurements carried out using Brinell indenter. The results showed that the solidification microstructure of magnesium alloy with 2.24% by weight of silver, 1.52% by weight of alkaline elements and 0.55% by weight of zirconium including 94 vol.% magnesium base phase (matrix) and 6 vol.% of eutectic cells. The results of EDS analysis showed that unlike zirconium, silver and alkali metals have significant solubility in the matrix, and as a result enriched intermetallics with zirconium and silver appear in the grain boundary or interdendritic area. It has also been observed that hardness of the alloy has increased from 43 to 48 HB by solution and aging heat treatment (T6).
Keywords
QE22 Mg-Ag-Ce-Zr alloy
Casting
Hardness
Chemical composition
Microstructure
  1. Kulekci M. K., Magnesium and its alloys applications in automotive industry, International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2008, 39(9-10) 851-865.
  2. Dahle A. K., Lee Y.C., Nave M.D., Schaffer P.L., John D.H.S., Development of the as-cast microstructure in magnesium-aluminum alloys, Journal of Light Metals, 2001, 1, 61-72.
  3. Sumida M., Microstructure development of sand-cast AZ- type magnesium alloys modified by simultaneous addition of calcium and neodymium, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2008, 460, 619–626.
  4. Emley E.F., Principal of Magnesium Technology, Pergamon Press, 1996.
  5. Kainer K.U., Buch F.V., The current state of technology and potential for further development of magnesium applications, Magnesium Alloy and Technology, 2003, 1-22.
  6. ASM Specialty Handbook, Magnesium and Magnesium Alloy, ASM Publication, 1999.
  7. Metals Handbook, Casting, ASM International, Vol. 15, 9th Ed, 1988.
  8. Xiaoqin Z., Qudong W., Yizhen L., Influence of beryllium and rare earth additions on ignition – proof magnesium alloys, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2001, 112, 17-23.
  9. You B.S., Park W.W., The effect of calcium additions on the oxidation behavior in magnesium alloys, Scripta Mater., 2000, 42, 1089-1094.
  10. Strauss K., Applied Science in the Casting of Metals, Pergamon Press,1970
  11. Alans L., Henry H., Inclusion in molten magnesium and potential assessment technique, Journal of Metals, October, 1996, 47-51.
  12. Pettersen G., Ovrelid E., Characterization of the surface films formed on molten magnesium in different protective atmospheres, Materials Science and Engineering A, 2002, 332, 285-294.
  13. Polmear I.J., Light Alloys: Metallurgy of Light Metals, First Edition, 1981.
  14. Motegi T., Yano E., Tamura Y., Clarification of grain refining mechanisms of super heat-treated Mg-Al-Zn alloy casting, Materials Science Forum, 2000, 350-351, 191-198.
  15. Nishino N., Kawahara H., Shimizu Y., Magnesium Alloy and Method of Producing the Same, US Patent, 6395224, 2002.
  16. Tamura Y., Motegi T., Kono N., Sato E., Effect of minor elements on grain size of Mg9%Al alloy, Materials Science Forum, 2000, 350-351, 199-204.
  17. غنی‌آبادی ا.، شبستری س.، اثر فرآیند نیمه جامد محفظه چرخان بر مشخصه‌های انجمادی، کوهرنسی دندریت‌ها و ریزساختار آلیاژ منیزیم AZ91، پژوهش‌نامه ریخته‌گری، 1397، 2(3) 146-135.‌
  18. Metals Handbook, Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloy and Special Purpose Materials, ASM International, Vol. 2, 9th Ed, 1988.
  19. پریدری ش.، ثقفیان لاریجانی ح. و عیسی‌آبادی ق.، اثر کلسیم بر مقاومت به اکسیداسیون و سیالیت آلیاژ منیزیم ‏AZ91‎، پژوهش‌نامه ریخته‌گری، 1397، 2(3) 200-193.
  20. Brace A.W., Magnesium Casting Technology, London Chapman & Hal Ltd., 1957.
  21. Metals Handbook, Heat Treatment, ASM International, Vol. 4, 9th Ed, 1988.
  22. Brooks C. R., Heat Treatment, Structure and Properties of Nonferrous Alloys, American Society for Metals, 1982.
Founding Research Journal
Volume 3, Issue 4 - Serial Number 11
Winter 2020
Pages 237-245

  • Receive Date 20 October 2018
  • Revise Date 11 October 2019
  • Accept Date 11 November 2019