Microstructural Evolution During Warm Deformation of Magnesium
EMSL Project ID
32298
Abstract
The overall aim of this project is to evaluate and compare the forming characteristics and post-forming properties of continuous-cast and wrought (conventional) AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets. A major barrier to use of magnesium sheet is the cost of conventional wrought processing, due to the hexagonal crystal structure and poor hot-short characteristics. Continuous casting of magnesium using twin-roll casting techniques offers the potential to reduce the cost of magnesium alloy sheet. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize the microstructural evolution during large plastic deformation in wrought and continuous-cast magnesium sheets and understand the role of parameters such as the texture and grain size on its mechanical behavior. It is anticipated that upon its completion, this project will lead to determining suitability of continuous casting magnesium into sheet for automotive applications with appropriate forming and property performance characteristics.We propose to utilize EMSLâ??s FEI Helios SEM-EBSD system to study texture evolution in magnesium sheet samples as a function of plastic strain and deformation temperature. Several pans, made from wrought magnesium alloy sheets under isothermal conditions between 200�°C-350�°C, have been obtained from commercial vendors. Test samples will be machined from different locations (i.e. different levels of plastic strain and prior stress-states) in magnesium pans and polished via conventional metallographic procedures. EBSD texture measurements will be made on these polished specimens to map the texture evolution as a function of plastic strain and deformation temperature. Tensile specimens will be machined from the pans and the tensile behavior will be related to the observed microstructure.
In summary, this project will utilize EMSLâ??s experimental measurement capabilities towards a research topic that has the potential to impact automotive industry by enabling the use of magnesium as a light-weight structural material.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2009-04-27
End Date
2010-05-02
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator