Connecting Dynamic Strain Aging to Deformation Processing in Magnesium-Calcium-Based Alloys

Abstract

Fuel consumption can be improved by reducing car weight with substitution of aluminum and steel parts with magnesium (Mg). Magnesium formability at room temperature is limited due to strong basal texture generated prior processing. Shear band nucleation, observed under conditions in which dynamic strain aging (DSA), have been attributed to be responsible for texture weakening in dilute Mg – Rare Earths (RE) alloys. A low–cost substitution of RE is calcium (Ca) with similar atomic size. It is hypothesized that deformation of Mg – Ca alloys under DSA conditions improves Mg formability. In this study, Mg–Ca and Mg–Ca–Zn alloys were characterized using optical microscopy, XRD, and SEM/EDS. Compression testing was performed between 200 and 300C at different strain rates to observe DSA behavior. This work was performed under DOE Award Number DE-EE0007756.