Abstract
The reduction of harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be realized by utilizing lightweight structural metals, such as magnesium. Magnesium alloys have the potential to replace higher-density aluminum and ferrous components in automotive and aerospace industries, thereby decreasing vehicle weight and the associated fuel requirements. However, their strength and ductility must be improved to ensure widespread application. This goal can be achieved through ultrasonic processing in the molten state, a technique that is gaining popularity in the manufacturing of light alloys. In this study, the effects of high-intensity ultrasonic vibration on the microstructure and hardness of AZ91E Mg alloy was investigated. The molten alloys were subjected to sonication of varying durations, and the resulting castings were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and hardness testing. Sonication was found to successfully increase the hardness of the alloy relative to the base condition. This improvement was attributed to the refinement of the magnesium grain structure as well as the Mg17Al12 and Mn-Al secondary phases in the sonicated alloys. The competitiveness of magnesium alloys can be significantly enhanced via ultrasonic processing, offering important opportunities for the production of greener, light metal components.
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