Magnesium alloy design: Examples from the Materials in Extreme Dynamic Environments Metals Collaborative Research Group. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hufnagel, Todd C.; Lloyd, Jeffrey T.; Weihs, Timothy P.; Kecskes, Laszlo J.; Sano, Tomoko
• Is Part Of: Mechanics of materials. Volume 165(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Magnesium -- Dynamic mechanical behavior -- Alloy design; Strength of materials -- Periodicals; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Résistance des matériaux -- Périodiques; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Mechanics, Applied; Strength of materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmat.2021.104136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-6636

Abstract

Abstract: Designing metallic materials for resistance to ballistic penetration is challenging because mechanical behavior under dynamic loading involves multiple possible mechanisms of deformation and failure which are sensitive to details of structure on scales ranging from atomic to macroscopic. In this overview we use the example of magnesium alloys, which have promise as lightweight protective materials, to illustrate some of the key scientific and technical challenges in this area. Using a system design chart for magnesium alloys as a focal point, we describe three particular sets of processing-structure-properties connections: (i) The role of second-phase particles in spall failure, (ii) microstructural control through equal-channel angular extrusion (ECAE) to improve dynamic strength, and (iii) controlling crystallographic texture and plastic anisotropy for improved ballistic performance. We discuss implications of the multi-scale nature of behavior in structural metals – considering both performance in applications as well as thermomechanical processing – for potential high-throughput research and development of structural alloys and processes. We conclude with some thoughts about using system design charts to help set direction and establish priorities in large materials development projects.