Origins of high ductility exhibited by an extruded magnesium alloy Mg-1.8Zn-0.2Ca: Experiments and crystal plasticity modeling. (10th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Jie; Zhu, Gaoming; Wang, Leyun; Vasilev, Evgenii; Park, Jun-Sang; Sha, Gang; Zeng, Xiaoqin; Knezevic, Marko
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials science & technology. Volume 84(2021)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2021-09-10
• Subjects: Mg-Zn-Ca alloy -- Ductility -- Deformation mechanisms -- Crystal plasticity modeling -- Grain boundary mediated plasticity; Metals -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials science; Metals; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2020.12.047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1005-0302

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Highly deformable Mg-Zn-Ca alloy is synthesized via permanent casting and one-step hot extrusion. Prismatic slip is promoted due to the significantly reduced ratio of slip resistances between prismatic and basal slip systems. Zn and Ca solutes are found to strongly segregate at grain boundaries. Co-segregation of Zn and Ca makes grain boundaries stronger. Co-segregation of Zn and Ca makes grain boundaries tougher by mediating plasticity at grain boundaries during deformation. Abstract: Low ductility and strength are major bottlenecks against Mg alloys' wide applications. In this work, we systematically design the composition and fabrication process for a low-alloyed Mg-Zn-Ca alloy, showing that it can be extruded at low temperatures (∼250 ℃) and high speeds (∼2 mm/s). After the extrusion, this alloy exhibits a substantially weakened basal texture, relatively small grain size, very high tensile elongation (∼30%), and good strength. The origin of the considerably improved ductility was studied using a combination of three-dimensional atom probe tomography (3D-APT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) in conjunction with surface slip trace analysis, in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and elasto-plastic self-consistent (EPSC) modeling. Co-segregation of Zn and Ca atoms at a grain boundary is observed and associated with texture weakening and grain boundary mediated plasticity, both improving the ductility. While basal slip and prismatic slip are identified as the dominant deformation systems in the alloy, the ratio between their slip resistances is substantially reduced relative to pure Mg and most other Mg alloys, significantly contributing to the improved ductility of the alloy. This Mg-Zn-Ca alloy exhibiting excellent mechanical properties and low fabrication cost is a promising candidate for industrial productions.