Grain refinement of AZ31 magnesium alloy by new Al-Ti-C master alloys

Han, G., Liu, X.-f. and Ding, H.-m. (2009) Grain refinement of AZ31 magnesium alloy by new Al-Ti-C master alloys. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 19(5), pp. 1057-1064. (doi: 10.1016/S1003-6326(08)60406-9)

Abstract

New Al4C3-containing Al-Ti-C master alloys (Al-0.6Ti-1C and Al-1Ti-1C) were developed by introducing Ti element into Al-C melt using melt reaction method, in which most of the TiC particles distribute around Al4C3 particles. It is believed that most of the C firstly reacts with Al melt and form Al4C3 particles by the reaction Al(l)+C(s)→Al4C3(s), and after adding Ti into the Al-C melt, the size of Al4C3 particles is decreased and the distribution of Al4C3 is improved through the reaction Ti(solute)+Al4C3(s)→TiC(s)+Al(l). With the addition of 1% Al-1Ti-1C master alloy, the average grain size of AZ31 is reduced sharply from 850 μm to 200 μm, and the grain morphology of α-Mg transits from a fully-developed equiaxed dendritic structure to a petal-like shape. Al-C-O-Mn-Fe compounds are proposed to be potent nucleating substrates for primary Mg. Appropriate addition of Ti is believed to increase the grain refinement efficiency of Al4C3-containing Al-Ti-C master alloys in AZ31 alloy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Han, Dr Guang
• Authors: Han, G., Liu, X.-f., and Ding, H.-m.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China
• Publisher: Nonferrous Metals Society of China
• ISSN: 1003-6326
• ISSN (Online): 2210-3384