Influence of Y and Nd on deformation mechanisms and tensile properties at room temperature of Mg-Zn-Gd alloy

Abstract

The microstructure, fracture mechanisms, deformation modes, and their correlation with the mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Gd alloys were analyzed, considering the influence of Y and Nd additions. Increasing Y content and decreasing Nd content resulted in an increase in grain size from 17.2 to 29.2 jim, and two types of LPSO phases, 14H and 18R, formed in the alloy. The mechanical properties of the alloys were predominantly influenced by the LPSO phase, with the grain size effect being relatively minor. Based on this analysis, higher Y and lower Nd contents enhanced the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the alloys, with additional improvements observed following solid solution treatment. Changes in Y and Nd content caused a shift in fracture patterns, transitioning from ductile fracture to brittle fracture and then to mixed fracture. Following solid solution treatment, the alloy progressively transitions from intergranular to a combination of ductile and deconvolutional fracture. The deformation modes observed at each stage are as follows: an increase in LPSO phases and twins activates pyramidal slip and suppresses prismatic slip.

Supplementary materials

Please scan the QR code or visit the URL link to get the supporting information https://qr.csupress.com.cn/Public/ResourceList/Detail/63585

Keywords

Mg-Zn-Gd alloy / LPSO phases / fracture pattern / deformation modes

References

[1] KainerK U, von BuchF. The current state of technology and potential for further development of magnesium applications [M]. Magnesium - Alloys and Technology, 2003122.

[2] YinD-d, BoehlertC J, LongL J, et al.. Tensioncompression asymmetry and the underlying slip/twinning activity in extruded Mg-Y sheets [J]. International Journal of Plasticity, 2021, 136102878.

[3] ChaiY-q, BoehlertC J, WanY-f, et al.. Anomalous tension twinning activity in extruded Mg sheet during hard-orientation loading at room temperature [J]. Metall Mater Trans A, 2021, 52: 449-456.

[4] HuaS, JiangZ-w, WanY-f, et al.. A statistical analysis of compressive deformation mechanisms in an extruded Mg-3Y sheet [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2021, 825141927.

[5] ShaoZ-w, LeQ-c, ZhangZ-q, et al.. Numerical simulation of acoustic pressure field for ultrasonic grain refinement of AZ80 magnesium alloy [J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2011, 21(11): 2476-2483.

[6] XuD-k, HanE-h, XuY-bo. Effect of long-period stacking ordered phase on microstructure, mechanical property and corrosion resistance of Mg alloys: A review [J]. Progress in Natural Science: Materials International, 2016, 26(2): 117-128.

[7] ZhangQ, LiQ-n, ChenX-y, et al.. Effect of Sn addition on the deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy during hot compression [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2021, 826142026.

[8] LiT-j, ZhengJ, ShouH-g, et al.. The deformation modes and transferability during low-cycle fatigue of Mg and Mg-3Y alloy [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2022, 839142838.

[9] RobsonJ D, StanfordN, BarnettM R. Effect of precipitate shape and habit on mechanical asymmetry in magnesium alloys [J]. Metall Mater Trans A, 2013, 44: 2984-2995.

[10] WangY, ZhangZ, WuR-z, et al.. Ambient-temperature mechanical properties of isochronally aged 1420-Sc-Zr aluminum alloy [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2019, 745: 411-419.

[11] ZhangJ-h, LiuS-j, WuR-z, et al.. Recent developments in high-strength Mg-RE-based alloys: Focusing on Mg-Gd and Mg-Y systems [J]. Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, 2018, 6(3): 277-291.

[12] JungI H, SanjariM, KimJ, et al.. Role of RE in the deformation and recrystallization of Mg alloy and a new alloy design concept for Mg-RE alloys [J]. Scripta Materialia, 2015, 102: 1-6.

[13] YamasakiM, AnanT, YoshimotoS, et al.. Mechanical properties of warm-extruded Mg-Zn-Gd alloy with coherent 14H long periodic stacking ordered structure precipitate [J]. Scripta Materialia, 2005, 53(7): 799-803.

[14] WangB-j, XuD-k, WangS-d, et al.. Influence of solution treatment on the corrosion fatigue behavior of an as-forged Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloy [J]. International Journal of Fatigue, 2019, 120: 46-55.

[15] LiR-g, ZhaoD-y, ZhangJ-h, et al.. Room temperature yielding phenomenon in extruded or/and aged Mg-14Gd-2Ag-0.5Zr alloy with fine-grained microstructure [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2020, 787139551.

[16] EsmailyM, SvenssonJ E, FajardoS, et al.. Fundamentals and advances in magnesium alloy corrosion [J]. Progress in Materials Science, 2017, 89: 92-193.

[17] ZhangT-x, ZhaoX-t, LiuJ-h, et al.. The microstructure, fracture mechanism and their correlation with the mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy under the effect of cooling rate [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2021, 801140382.

[18] ChenL-b, LiW, LuoM. Effect of stacking faults in nanograins on the tensile properties of Mg-Y-Nd-Gd-Zr alloys subjected to ultrasonic surface rolling processing [J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2022, 436128305.

[19] HarjoS, GongW, AizawaK, et al.. Strengthening of α-Mg and long-period stacking ordered phases in a Mg-Zn-Y alloy by hot-extrusion with low extrusion ratio [J]. Acta Materialia, 2023, 255119029.

[20] WangL-h, JalarA, DanL-h. Effect of Nd on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-7Gd-0.5Zr alloy [J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2023, 936168278.

[21] ZhongF, WuH-j, JiaoY-l, et al.. Effect of Y and Ce on the microstructure, mechanical properties and anisotropy of as-rolled Mg-8Li-1Al alloy [J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2020, 39: 124-134.

[22] XieH, WuG-h, TongX, et al.. Characterization and strengthening effect of precipitate microstructure in Mg-3Nd-3Gd-0.2Zn-0.5Zr alloy aged at 225 °C [J]. Materials Characterization, 2022, 194112442.

[23] GaoL-l, ChenR-s, HanE-h. Solid solution strengthening behaviors in binary Mg-Y single phase alloys [J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2009, 472(12): 234-240.

[24] YinS-q, ZhangZ-q, LiuM, et al.. Effect of heat treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Gd-Zr alloys with different compositions[J]. Materials Express, 2018, 8(3): 211-222.

[25] LiY-x, ZhuG-z, QiuD, et al.. The intrinsic effect of long period stacking ordered phases on mechanical properties in Mg-RE based alloys [J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2016, 660: 252-257.

[26] ZhangJ-h, NieK-b, DengK-k, et al.. Effect of Nd on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr alloy [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2022, 838142562.

[27] DangC, DouX-x, WangJ-f, et al.. Investigations on microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr-Nd alloy [J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 24: 4852-4862.

[28] ChenY-w, WangJ-y, ZhengW-s, et al.. CALPHAD-guided design of Mg-Y-Al alloy with improved strength and ductility via regulating the LPSO phase [J]. Acta Materialia, 2024, 263119521.

[29] RuanY-x, XiaS-b, LiC-r, et al.. Experimental study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-Y-Zn alloys with LPSO phases tailored by CALPHAD method [J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2023, 965171414.

[30] NieY-j, DaiJ-w, LiX, et al.. Recent developments on corrosion behaviors of Mg alloys with stacking fault or long period stacking ordered structures [J]. Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, 2021, 9(4): 1123-1146.

[31] KawamuraY, YamasakiM. Formation and mechanical properties of Mg₉₇Zn₁RE₂ alloys with long-period stacking ordered structure [J]. Materials Transactions, 2007, 48(11): 2986-2992.

[32] LiuH, XueF, BaiJ, et al.. Formation behavior of 14H long period stacking ordered structure in Mg-Y-Zn cast alloys with different a-Mg fractions [J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2016, 32(12): 1267-1273.

[33] ZhuY-m, MortonA J, NieJ-f. The 18R and 14H long-period stacking ordered structures in Mg-Y-Zn alloys [J]. Acta Materialia, 2010, 58(8): 2936-2947.

[34] ZhuY-m, WeylandM, MortonA J, et al.. The building block of long-period structures in Mg-RE-Zn alloys [J]. Scripta Materialia, 2009, 60(11): 980-983.

[35] YuanS, WangJ-h, ZhangL, et al.. Effect of long-period ordered stacking on twinning behavior and mechanical properties of Mg-Al-Y alloy during uniaxial hot compression [J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2023, 142: 152-166.

[36] YuQ, ShanZ-w, LiJ, et al.. Strong crystal size effect on deformation twinning [J]. Nature, 2010, 463: 335-338.

[37] LuoX, FengZ-q, YuT-b, et al.. Transitions in mechanical behavior and in deformation mechanisms enhance the strength and ductility of Mg-3Gd [J]. Acta Materialia, 2020, 183: 398-407.

[38] NieH-h, HaoX-w, KangX-p, et al.. Strength and plasticity improvement of AZ31 sheet by pre-inducing large volume fraction of {1012} tensile twins [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2020, 776139045.

[39] ZhangH, LiuY, FanJ-f, et al.. Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of twinned AZ31 alloy plates at lower elevated temperature [J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2014, 615: 687-692.

[40] ZhangH, BaiX-q, HouM-j, et al.. Enhancing compressive mechanical properties of rolled AZ31 Mg alloy plates by pre-compression [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2020, 772138686.

[41] LuS-h, WuD, ChenR-s, et al.. Reasonable utilization of $\{1 0\bar{1}2\}$ twin for optimizing microstructure and improving mechanical property in a Mg-Gd-Y alloy [J]. Materials & Design, 2020, 191108600.

[42] ZhangX-y, LouC, TuJ, et al.. Plasticity induced by twin lamellar structure in magnesium alloy [J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2013, 29(12): 1123-1128.

[43] WangH, BoehlertC J, WangQ D, et al.. In-situ analysis of the tensile deformation modes and anisotropy of extruded Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.5Zr (wt.%) at elevated temperatures [J]. International Journal of Plasticity, 2016, 84: 255-276.

[44] SandlöbesS, FriákM, ZaeffererS, et al.. The relation between ductility and stacking fault energies in Mg and Mg-Y alloys [J]. Acta Materialia, 2012, 60(67): 3011-3021.

[45] SandlöbesS, PeiZ, FriákM, et al.. Ductility improvement of Mg alloys by solid solute-on: Ab initio modeling, synthesis and mechanical properties [J]. Acta Materialia, 2014, 70: 92-104.

[46] KimY M, MendisC, SasakiT, et al.. Staticre crystallization behaviour of cold rolled Mg-Zn-Y alloy and role of solute segregation in microstructure evolution [J]. Scripta Materialia, 2017, 136: 41-45.

[47] HaC-w, BohlenJ, ZhouX-h, et al.. Texture development and dislocation activities in Mg-Nd and Mg-Ca alloy sheets [J]. Materials Characterization, 2021, 175111044.

[48] YooM H, AgnewS R, MorrisJ R, et al.. Non-basal slip systems in HCP metals and alloys: Source mechanisms [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2001, 319–321: 87-92.

[49] HonmaT, OhkuboT, KamadoS, et al.. Effect of Zn additions on the age-hardening of Mg-2.0Gd-1.2Y-0.2Zr alloys [J]. Acta Materialia, 2007, 55(12): 4137-4150.

[50] MatsudaM, AndoS, NishidaM. Dislocation structure in rapidly solidified Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ alloy with long period stacking order phase [J]. Materials Transactions, 2005, 46(2): 361-364.

[51] DattaA, WaghmareU V, RamamurtyU. Structure and stacking faults in layered Mg-Zn-Y alloys: A first-principles study [J]. Acta Materialia, 2008, 56(11): 2531-2539.

[52] LaiZ-huCrystal defects and mechanical properties of metals [M], 1984, Beijing. Metallurgical Industry Press. (in Chinese)

[53] WuG-h, TongX, WangC-l, et al.. Recent advances on grain refinement of magnesium rare-earth alloys during the whole casting processes: A review [J]. Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, 2023, 11(10): 3463-3483.

[54] StjohnD H, QianM, EastonM A, et al.. Grain refinement of magnesium alloys [J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 2005, 36: 1669-1679.

[55] AliY, QiuD, JiangB, et al.. Current research progress in grain refinement of cast magnesium alloys: A review article [J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2015, 619: 639-651.

[56] BramfittB L. The effect of carbide and nitride additions on the heterogeneous nucleation behavior of liquid iron [J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 1970, 1: 1987-1995

[57] LiuW, ZhangJ-s, XuC-x, et al.. High-performance extruded Mg₈₉Y₄Zn₂Li₅ alloy with deformed LPSO structures plus fine dynamical recrystallized grains [J]. Materials & Design, 2016, 110: 1-9.

[58] AkhtarA, TeghtsoonianE. Solid solution strengthening of magnesium single crystals—I alloying behaviour in basal slip [J]. Acta Metallurgica, 1969, 17(11): 1339-1349.

[59] AkhtarA, TeghtsoonianE. Solid solution strengthening of magnesium single crystals—II the effect of solute on the ease of prismatic slip [J]. Acta Metallurgica, 1969, 17(11): 1351-1356.

[60] GaneshanS, ShangS L, WangY, et al.. Effect of alloying elements on the elastic properties of Mg from first-principles calculations [J]. Acta Materialia, 2009, 57(13): 3876-3884.

[61] ChinoY, MabuchiM, HagiwaraS, et al.. Novel equilibrium two phase Mg alloy with the long-period ordered structure [J]. Scripta Materialia, 2004, 51(7): 711-714.

[62] HagiharaK, YokotaniN, UmakoshiY. Plastic deformation behavior of Mg₁₂YZn with 18R long-period stacking ordered structure [J]. Intermetallics, 2010, 18(2): 267-276.

[63] OnorbeE, GarcésG, DobesF, et al.. High-temperature mechanical behavior of extruded Mg-Y-Zn alloy containing LPSO phases [J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 2013, 44: 2869-2883.

[64] HessJ B, BarrettC S. Structure and nature of kink bands in zinc [J]. JOM, 1949, 1(9): 599-606.

[65] BarsoumM W, ZhenT, KalidindiS R, et al.. Fully reversible, dislocation-based compressive deformation of Ti₃SiC₂ to 1 GPa [J]. Nature Materials, 2003, 2(2): 107-111.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Central South University