A novel continuous semisolid rolling process for producing AZ31 alloy strip was developed. The process parameters were optimized, and microstructure and properties of AZ31 alloy prepared by the process were studied. The results reveal that primary grains of the strip become coarse, and the grain structure transforms from round shape to dendrite with the increment of casting temperature gradually. Eutectic phase fraction and primary grain size increase with the increment of roll speed. The primary grain size decreases firstly and then increases with the increment of the vibration frequency correspondingly. When the casting temperature is from 650℃to 690℃, the roll speed is 0.069 m·s- 1, and the vibration frequency is about 80 Hz, AZ31 alloy strip with a cross section size of 4 mm×160 mm was prepared by the proposed process. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation are improved 1% and 57 %, respectively.
Renguo GUANZhanyong ZHAOXiang WANGChunguang DAIChunming LIU
A novel semisolid rheo-rolling process of AZ91 alloy was proposed. The microstructure formation mechanism of AZ91 magnesium alloy during the process was studied. The results reveal that the eruptive nucleation and the heterogeneous nucleation exist. During the grain growth process, the grain breakage took place and transformed into fine spherical or rosette grains on the sloping plate gradually, the other grain growth style is direct globular growth. Due to the secondary crystallization of the remnant liquids in the roll gap, the microstructure of the strip becomes finer with the increment of the casting temperature from 650℃ to 690℃. But when the casting temperature reached 710℃, a part of the liquid alloy transformed into the eutectic phases, and the primary grains ripened to form coarse dendrites. In the casting temperature range from 650℃ to 690℃, AZ91 alloy strip with fine spherical or rosette grains was prepared by the proposed process.
In order to obtain the Al wires with good mechanical properties and high electrical conductivities, conductive wires of Al-0.16 Zr, Al-0.16 Sc, Al-0.12Sc-0.04Zr（mass fraction, %） and pure Al（99.996%） were produced with the diameter of 9.5 mm by continuous rheo-extrusion technology, and the extruded materials were heat treated and analyzed. The results show that the separate additions of 0.16% Sc and 0.16% Zr to pure Al improve the ultimate tensile strength but reduce the electrical conductivity, and the similar trend is found in the Al-0.12Sc-0.04 Zr alloy. After the subsequent heat treatment, the wire with the optimum comprehensive properties is Al-0.12Sc-0.04 Zr alloy, of which the ultimate tensile strength and electrical conductivity reach 160 MPa and 64.03%（IACS）, respectively.
