Abstract
Abstract Al- and Al/Zn-enriched layers containing intermetallic phases were deposited on the Mg substrate by heating the Mg specimens in contact with the powdered materials in a vacuum furnace. The Al-enriched surface layers were produced using Al powder, whereas the Al/Znenriched layers were obtained from an 80 wt.% Al + 20 wt.% Zn powder mixture. The microstructure and composition of the layers were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the Al-enriched layer comprised an Mg17Al12 intermetallic phase and a solid solution of Al in Mg. The layer obtained from the Al+Zn powder mixture was composed of Mg-Al-Zn intermetalic phases and a solid solution of Al and Zn in Mg. Adding 20% of Zn into the Al powder resulted in the formation of a considerably thicker layer. Moreover, the hardness of the surface layers was much higher than that of the Mg substrate.
Highlights
The application of magnesium and its alloys to produce automobile, computer and aerospace components, mobile phones, sporting goods, handheld tools and household equipment has increased steadily in recent years
Al-enriched layers can be deposited on magnesium and its alloys using different methods, i.e. laser processing [3,4], physical vapor deposition (PVD) [5], diffusion treatment in molten salts [6,7,8], diffusion aluminizing treatment [9,10,11,12], ion implantation [13], magnetron sputtering deposition combined with vacuum annealing [14], post-cold spray heat treatmebt [15], electrodeposition [16]
For the bright phase the Mg:Al ratio is not much different from Mg17Al12 intermetallic compound. These results show that the two-phase structure of the layer is the eutectic mixture containing Mg17Al12 intermetallic phase and the solid solution of Al in Mg
Summary
The application of magnesium and its alloys to produce automobile, computer and aerospace components, mobile phones, sporting goods, handheld tools and household equipment has increased steadily in recent years. Magnesium has a number of advantageous properties including high strength to weight ratio, high dimensional stability, high thermal conductivity, good machinability and it is easy to recycle. There are various methods of modification that may be used to improve the surface properties of magnesium and its alloys which have their own advantages and disadvantages. Of all the available surface treatments, the fabrication of Al-enriched surface layers containing intermetallic phases seems to be a promising surface treatment method as it contributes to an increase in wear and corrosion resistance. These layers do not significantly increase the density of the material. Al-enriched layers can be deposited on magnesium and its alloys using different methods, i.e. laser processing [3,4], physical vapor deposition (PVD) [5], diffusion treatment in molten salts [6,7,8], diffusion aluminizing treatment [9,10,11,12], ion implantation [13], magnetron sputtering deposition combined with vacuum annealing [14], post-cold spray heat treatmebt [15], electrodeposition [16]
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