Multi-solute solid solution behavior and its effect on the properties of magnesium alloys
Jun Wang, Yuan Yuan, Tao Chen, Liang Wu, Xianhuan Chen, Bin Jiang, Jingfeng Wang, Fusheng Pan
Abstract
The low-density magnesium (Mg) alloys are attractive for the application in aerospace, transportation and other weight-saving-required fields. The mechanical properties and corrosion properties of Mg alloys are the key-property issues for the wide application. It is surprising to find that the solid solution of alloying elements in the α-Mg phase can have multi-effects on the properties of Mg alloys, e.g., solid solution strengthening, solid solution corrosion-resistance-enhancing, etc. Additionally, the alloy design theory of “solid solution strengthening and ductilizing” proposed by Pan and co-workers has attracted extensive attentions. It is promising that by selected proper multi-alloying-elements (with optimal ratio) solid solutioned in the α-Mg phase, the comprehensive properties of Mg alloys can be synergistically improved. In this work, the solid solution behavior of Mg alloys and the followed solid solution property-enhancing effects were reviewed. The mechanisms proposed recently by researchers for these solid solution property-enhancing behaviors were presented, and the related calculations and predictions were also described. It is shown the demonstrations of the fundamentals for the solid solution property-enhancing of Mg alloys, especially from the atomic inter-reaction aspects, still require elaborated characterization work and calculation work. Additionally, it could be expected that the multi-solute in Mg alloys can bring many possibilities, or, in another saying, “cocktail effects”. With understanding the multi-solute interaction behavior and the corresponded solid solution property-enhancing effects, the good balanced high-performance Mg alloys can be developed.