Role of C and Fe in Grain Refinement of an AZ63B Magnesium Alloy by Al-C Master Alloy

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, grain refining effect of Al-1.5C master alloy was examined on an AZ63B magnesium alloy, and the refining mechanism was studied through investigating the role of C and Fe in this process. The results show that addition of Al-1.5C master alloy leads to significant decrease of the mean grain size from about 270 μm to 50 μm at the center of the AZ63 alloy ingot. Grain refinement by carbon addition is mainly due to the heterogeneity nucleation on the Al-, C-, O-, Fe- and Mn-rich particles, but not constitutional undercooling caused by the carbon solute element. Fe plays an important role in the formation of the nucleating particles, but not acts as an inhibiting element.

Key words: Grain refinement, AZ63B, Magnesium, Al-C master alloy, Nucleating particle

Yichuan PAN, Xiangfa LIU, Hua YANG. Role of C and Fe in Grain Refinement of an AZ63B Magnesium Alloy by Al-C Master Alloy[J]. J Mater Sci Technol, 2005, 21(06): 822-826.

References

[1] Shijun ZHANG, Wenxian LI, Kun YU and Dunqiang TAN: Foundry, 2001, 50(7), 373. (in Chinese)
[2] Shengfa LIU, Honghe GUO, Xiaoming FAN, Shangyu HUANG and Zhongfan WANG: Mater. Rev., 2003, 17(10), 24. (in Chinese)
[3] Feng LIU, Keqin FENG and Yi YANG: Foundry Technol., 2004, 25(6), 450. (in Chinese)
[4] Haofeng ZHAO, Hongmei LIU, Yongzhong ZHANG, Jin- ping FAN, Xiaojia WEI and Xingming HAO: Light Alloy Fabrication Technol., 2004, 32(2), 10. (in Chinese)
[5] Zili LIU, Yifu SHEN, Ziquan LI and Lei Wang: J. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2004, 22(1), 146. (in Chinese)
[6] Yanhui LIU, Xiangfa LIU, Tingbin LI and Xiufang BIAN: Foundry, 2003, 52(7), 472. (in Chinese)
[7] Yanhui LIU, Xiangfa LIU, Tingbin LI, Xiufang BIAN and Junyan ZHANG: The Chinese J. Nonferr. Metals, 2003, 13(3), 622. (in Chinese)
[8] Y.H.Liu, X.F.Liu and X.F.Bian: Mater. Lett., 2004, 58(7-8), 1282.
[9] Shijun ZHANG, Wenxian LI and Kun YU: Foundry, 2002, 51(12), 767. (in Chinese)
[10] C.E.Nelson: Trans. AFS, 1948, 56, 1.
[11] J.A.Davis and L.W.Eastwood: Trans. AFS, 1945, 53, 352.
[12] E.F.Emley: Principles of Magnesium Technology, Perga- raon, Elmsford, NY, 1966, 260.
[13] V.B.Kurfman: Trans. AIME, 1991, 221, 540.
[14] E.Yano, Y.Tamura, T.Motegi and E.Sato: Mater. Trans., 2003, 44, 107.
[15] Q.L.Jin, J.P.Eom, S.G.Lim, W.W.Park and B.S.You: Scripta Mater., 2003, 49, 139.
[16] Shijun ZHANG, Wenxian LI and Kun YU: Special Cast- ing Nonferr. Alloys, 2002, 4, 18. (in Chinese)
[17] Shiping HAN, Hongmei LIU and Haofeng ZHAO: Res. Stud. Foundry Equipment, 2003, 4, 16. (in Chinese)
[18] IG Farbenindustrie: Belgian Patent, 444757, 1942.
[19] R.T.Wood: Tie Foundryman, 1953, 98 and 256.
[20] E.F.Emley: Principles of Magnesium Technology, Perga- mon Press, Oxford, 1996, 209.
[21] P.Cao, M.Qian and D.H.StJohn: Scripta Mater., 2004. 51, 125.
[22] Y.Tamura, T.Haitani, E.Tano, T.Motegi, N.Kono and E.Sato: Mater. Trans., 2002, 43(11), 2784.
[23] Y.C.Lee, A.K.Dahle and D.H.Stjohn: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2000, 31, 2895.