Effect of Inoculation on the Mechanical Properties of AZ91

Abstract

The effect of Ca element on the microstructure evolution of the AZ91 magnesium alloy was investigated in this research. The magne-sium-aluminium alloy AZ91 was inoculated with the Emgesal® Flux 5 to refine its microstructure and also improve its microstructure. Six different concentrations of the Emgesal® Flux 5 content were tested, ranging from 0.1 to 0.6% wt., and compared to the baseline of the AZ91 alloy without inoculation. Melted metal was poured into a preheated metallic mould. Samples to test were achieved after turning treatment. Formed microstructure was assessed using an optical microscope. The microstructure was refined for every tested samples. Me-chanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, Brinell hardness, Vickers microhardness, abrasion resistance and adhesive resistance were tested on the inoculated samples and compared to the non-inoculated AZ91. Introducing an Emgesal®Flux 5 inoculant caused a change in the tensile strength, elongation, Brinell hard-ness, Vickers microhardness, abrasive wear resistance as well as adhesive wear resistance in each examined concentration.

Keywords

• metallography
• solidification process
• magnesium alloys
• emgesal® flux 5
• dta process