Abstract
In this study, the addition of Sn on the microstructure of Zn 1.6 wt.% Al 1.6 wt.% Mg alloy was studied. Currently, the addition of Sn into Zn-Al-Mg based systems has not been investigated in detail. Both as-cast and annealed states were investigated. Phase transformation temperatures and phase composition was investigated via DSC, SEM and XRD techniques. The main phases identified in the studied alloys were η(Zn) and α(Al) solid solutions as well as Mg2Zn11, MgZn2 and Mg2Sn intermetallic phases. Addition of Sn enabled the formation of Mg2Sn phase at the expense of MgxZny phases, while the overall volume content of intermetallic phases is decreasing. Annealing did not change the phase composition in a significant way, but higher Sn content allowed more effective spheroidization and agglomeration of individual phase particles.
Highlights
Sn Addition on Zn-Al-Mg Alloy; Zn-Al alloys are used as corrosion protection coatings for a series of applications including steel strands used to reinforce overhead power lines
Melting of MZ + 0.0Sn starts at 344 ◦ C, while with the addition of 0.5–3.0 wt.% of Sn, melting starts already at 334 ◦ C
Melting is finished at 382 ◦ C for the MZ + 0.0Sn and this temperature is being continuously decreased to 376 ◦ C by the addition of up to 3 wt.%
Summary
Sn Addition on Zn-Al-Mg Alloy; Zn-Al alloys are used as corrosion protection coatings for a series of applications including steel strands used to reinforce overhead power lines Such strands ensure the overall mechanical rigidity of aluminum conductors and reduce the number of supporting towers needed for a specific distance of overhead power lines [1]. 200 ◦ C, the pure Zn coating starts to react with the steel [1,3,4] substrate and continues to form ZnFe intermetallics. Such a reaction can reduce the actual steels cross section area and reduce the cables’ mechanical properties. This limitation can be overcome by alloying [5,6]
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