Zdeněk Drozd

The magnesium AZ31 alloy was swaged with rotary pressure with the aim of redefining the microstructure and improving mechanical and fatigue properties. The rotary swaging process and subsequent ageing improved the yield stress in tension and compression. In the present study, the investigation was focused on fatigue behaviour. The samples were cycled in a symmetric regime with a frequency of 35 Hz. A dependence of the stress amplitude on the number of cycles up to the fracture was estimated. The microstructure of the samples and fracture surfaces was analysed with a scanning electron microscope. The fatigue process was influenced by the pronounced texture formed in the swaging process. The fatigue properties of the swaged samples improved substantially—the endurance limit based on 10⁷ cycles was approximately 120 MPa—compared to those of the cast alloy. The analysis of the fracture surfaces showed a transcrystalline fatigue fracture.

Stress-relaxation tests were performed during plastic deformation at room temperature of three magnesium Mg–Li alloys reinforced with 10 vol% of short Saffil fibers. For comparison, the composite with the Mg matrix was studied. The time dependencies of the stress decrease were analyzed with the aim to determine the activation volume and the main types of thermally activated processes occurring during plastic flow. The Mg4Li matrix alloy exhibited the hcp structure, while the composite with the Mg12Li matrix alloy had the bcc structure. The third alloy, Mg8Li, combined both phases, hcp and bcc. The stress acting in the matrix was divided into two components: the internal stress and the effective stress. Activation volume and stress-sensitivity parameters were determined as a function of effective stress and strain. While the values of the activation volume depending on the effective stress lay on one “master” curve, the strain dependence was different for all materials. The main thermally activated process in the hcp structure was the dislocation motion in the noncompact planes, while in the bcc structure, massive recovery processes connected with an increase in dislocations were identified.

An extruded magnesium AZ31 magnesium alloy was processed by rotary swaging (RSW) and then deformed by tension and compression at room temperature. The work-hardening behaviour of 1–5 times swaged samples was analysed using Kocks-Mecking plots. Accumulation of dislocations on dislocation obstacles and twin boundaries is the deciding factor for the strain hardening. Profuse twinning in compression seems to be the reason for the higher hardening observed during compression. The main softening mechanism is apparently the cross-slip between the pyramidal planes of the second and first order. A massive twinning observed at the deformation beginning influences the Hall-Petch parameters.

An AX52 magnesium alloy (nominal composition Mg-5Al-2Ca in w.%) was submitted to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) using processing route A; 1–8 passes through the ECAP tool were applied. The thermal conductivity of the ECAP samples was measured using a flash method in the temperature interval from room temperature up to 350 °C. The microstructure and texture of the samples were studied by light and electron microscopy. The severe plastic deformation, realized by the ECAP, influences the thermal properties of the alloy. The possible microstructural parameters determining the thermal conductivity were analyzed. New dislocations, the grain, phase boundaries, and texture of the samples may perceptibly change the thermal properties.

AX61 magnesium alloy was reinforced with short Saffil fibres using squeeze cast technology. Samples were cut from the casting in two directions: parallel and perpendicular to the fibre plane. Samples were deformed in compression at various temperatures from room temperature to 300 °C. Various strengthening mechanisms such as load transfer, increased dislocation density, Orowan and Hall–Petch strengthening were analysed. During deformation, the stress relaxation tests were subsequently performed. The relaxation curves were evaluated with respect to Li and Feltham equations with the aim to find stress components in matrix and parameters of the thermally activated process(es).

Magnesium samples reinforced with 0.7, 1.4, and 2.4 vol.% of Inconel 718 particles were prepared using a disintegrated melt deposition technique followed by hot extrusion. Mechanical properties, thermal expansion, and damping were studied with the aim of revealing the particle influence on the microstructure, texture, tensile and compressive behavior, thermal expansion coefficient, and internal friction. The flow stresses are significantly influenced by the test temperature and the vol.% of particles. A substantial asymmetry in the tensile and compressive properties was observed at lower temperatures. This asymmetry is caused by different deformation mechanisms operating in tension and compression. The fiber texture of extruded composite samples, refined grain sizes, and the increased dislocation density improved the mechanical properties. On the other hand, a decrease in the thermal expansion coefficient and internal friction was observed.

Superplastic materials exhibit anomalous plasticity, achieving strain until several thousand per cent. The phenomenon of plasticity is limited on special microstructure, temperatures and strain rates. Magnesium and magnesium alloys are known as materials with limited plasticity. This is due to their hexagonal structure of these materials. Finding the superplasticity conditions has a crucial importance for applications of magnesium alloys. In this chapter, we will deal with the superplastic behaviour of AZ91, QE22, AE42 and EZ33 magnesium alloys. Materials were prepared by various techniques: thermomechanical treatments, equal channel angular pressing, hot extrusion, rolling, friction stirring and high-pressure torsion. Strain rate sensitivity and elongation to fracture were estimated at various temperatures. Mechanisms of superplastic flow are discussed. Grain boundary sliding and diffusional processes were depicted as the main mechanisms responsible for high plasticity of these alloys. On the other hand, cavitation at elevated temperatures deteriorates the superplastic properties.