Influence of melt flow in the gating system on microstructure and mechanical properties of high pressure die casting AZ91D magnesium alloy

Xiaobo Li, Wenbo Yu, Junsheng Wang*, Shoumei Xiong

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The influence of melt flow in the gating system on microstructure and mechanical properties of high pressure die casting AZ91D magnesium alloy was investigated. Experimental and theoretical results showed that the externally solidified crystals (ESCs) were broken and eliminated by the shear stress caused by the turbulent melt flow in gating system. In comparison with the casting fabricated with conventional gating system, a simultaneous increase in both strength (~ 16% higher ultimate tensile strength) and ductility (~ 70% higher elongation) were achieved in the casting fabricated with modified gating system. Furthermore, different modes of crack initiation and propagation were found. For the one fabricated with the conventional gating system, the crack initiated at the shrinkage pore and propagated in a quasi-cleavage fracture form. In contrast, for the other one fabricated with the modified gating system, micro-voids appeared between the α-Mg grains and β-Mg17Al12 phase, and crack propagated in a ductile form.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)219-227
Number of pages9
JournalMaterials Science and Engineering: A
Volume736
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Oct 2018

Keywords

  • Externally solidified crystals
  • High pressure die casting
  • Magnesium alloy
  • Mechanical properties
  • Porosity

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