Al-Mg-B-Mn alterant for ZL102 alloy as well as preparation method and alteration process of Al-Mg-B-Mn alterant
By preparing Al-Mg-B-Mn metamorphic agent and optimizing the metamorphic process, the problem of coarse eutectic silicon grains in casting Al-Si alloys was solved, significantly improving the strength and toughness of ZL102 alloy, and expanding its application range.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510531591.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-08
AI Technical Summary
The coarse grains and needle-shaped morphology of primary crystal Si and eutectic Si in existing cast Al-Si alloys lead to poor strength and toughness of the alloy, which limits its wide application. Commonly used deteriorating agents such as Na, Sr, and rare earth elements have problems with unstable deterioration effect or the introduction of impurities.
Al-Mg-B-Mn metamorphic agent was prepared, and by optimizing the metamorphic process parameters, including the composition of magnesium, boron, manganese, the deterioration temperature and time, the amount of the metamorphic agent added, the form of eutectic silicon is changed and the mechanical properties of ZL102 alloy were improved.
The size of eutectic silicon has been significantly reduced, the tensile strength of ZL102 alloy has increased by 123.67%, and the elongation after break has increased by 55.56%, which is suitable for automotive and aerospace fields.
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of casting aluminum alloy manufacturing, and particularly relates to an Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy. Background Art
[0002] Aluminum alloy is a lightweight and high-strength alloy. Among them, cast Al-Si alloy has excellent casting performance and processing performance, is suitable for producing parts with complex structures, and has a low price, making it the most widely used cast aluminum alloy in fields such as automobiles, aerospace, etc. However, due to the coarse grains of primary Si and eutectic Si and the needle-like and flaky morphology of eutectic Si in cast Al-Si alloy, the strength, especially the toughness, of the alloy is poor, which limits its wide application.
[0003] At present, the main solution to this problem is modification treatment. Common modifiers include Na, Sr, P, rare earth elements, etc. Although good results have been achieved, there are certain defects. For example, the modification time of Na is short and the modification effect is unstable; the modification latent period of Sr is long and impurities are easily introduced; rare earth elements are easily burned out; P only has a modification effect on primary silicon, etc. The Al-Mg-B modifier has excellent modification effect. After modification with the Al-Mg-B modifier, the primary silicon in the ZL102 alloy disappears, and the eutectic silicon changes from long needle-like to granular, with excellent modification effect. However, the ZL102 alloy modified with the Al-Mg-B modifier has the problem of uneven structure. The density of Mn element is relatively large. By introducing Mn element into the Al-Mg-B modifier, the density of the modifier can be adjusted to help the modifier diffuse uniformly in the ZL102 alloy melt. Therefore, preparing an Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier and studying the influence of its modification effect on the ZL102 alloy by changing the modification process parameters have important significance for developing high-strength and high-toughness aluminum alloys and promoting the wide application of ZL102. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy, its preparation method and modification process. The Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier prepared by this method can effectively reduce the size of eutectic silicon and improve the mechanical properties of the ZL102 alloy by optimizing the modification process parameters.
[0005] The composition (at%) of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the magnesium content is 5% - 7%, the boron content is 50% - 52%, the manganese content is 4% - 6%, and the rest is aluminum. The modification process parameters of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the modification temperature is 800 °C, the modification time is 3 - 25 min, and the addition amount of the modifier is 0.2 - 1.2 wt.%.
[0006] Preferred Embodiment 1: The modification process parameters of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 3 - 6 min.
[0007] Preferred Embodiment 2: The modification process parameters of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 6 - 9 min.
[0008] Preferred Embodiment 3: The modification process parameters of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 9 - 12 min.
[0009] Preferred Embodiment 4: The modification process parameters of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 12 - 15 min.
[0010] Preferred Embodiment 5: The modification process parameters of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 15 - 21 min.
[0011] The best embodiment of the present invention is: The modification process parameters of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 10 min. The addition amount of the modifier is 0.5 wt.%.
[0012] Advantages of the present invention:
[0013] The preparation method of this modifier is simple. After modification treatment with this modifier, the morphology of eutectic silicon in ZL102 alloy changes significantly. The eutectic silicon changes from thick long needle-like to fine granular, the size of eutectic silicon decreases significantly, the length decreases by 90.46%, and the aspect ratio decreases by 86.43%; the tensile strength of ZL102 alloy increases by 123.67%, and the elongation after fracture increases by 55.56%. The ZL102 alloy modified with Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier has great application potential in the automotive manufacturing and aerospace fields. Description of the Drawings
[0014] Figure 1 It is the microstructure of unmodified ZL102 and the microstructures of ZL102 alloys modified with Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for different times in Examples 1 - 5 of the present invention. (a) Unmodified; (b) Modified for 5 min; (c) Modified for 8 min; (d) Modified for 10 min; (e) Modified for 15 min; (f) Modified for 20 min.
[0015] Figure 2 It is the relationship between the eutectic Si length, aspect ratio and modification time in the ZL102 alloys modified with Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier in Examples 1 - 5 of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 3 This is the relationship between the mechanical properties and modification time of the ZL102 alloy modified by the Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier in Examples 1-5 of the present invention. Specific embodiments
[0017] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0018] The present invention provides an Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy. Calculated by atomic percentage, the magnesium content is 5% - 7%, the boron content is 50% - 52%, the manganese content is 4% - 6%, and the rest is aluminum. By adding 0% - 1.2% of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier to ZL102 to modify the ZL102 alloy, its microstructure and mechanical properties are studied.
[0019] The preparation steps of the above Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier are as follows:
[0020] (1) Weigh pure metal raw materials of Al grains with a purity of 99.99%, Mg grains with a purity of 99.9%, B powder with a purity of 99.9%, and Mn flakes with a purity of 99.9% using an analytical balance. Add the four weighed pure metal raw materials into a corundum crucible. The addition order is: first lay a layer of B powder at the bottom of the crucible, then add Mg grains, then add Al grains, cover the remaining B powder on the Al grains, and finally evenly place the Mn flakes and the remaining Al grains on the top layer.
[0021] (2) Place the above corundum crucible containing the modifier raw materials in a quartz tube and vacuum seal it. Put the sealed quartz tube into a box furnace, heat it to 700°C, keep it warm for 4h, then heat it to 1000°C and keep it warm for 10h; heat it to 1100°C again and keep it warm for 6h; continue to heat it to 1200°C and keep it warm for 1h; finally cool the temperature to 1000°C, keep it warm for 20h at this temperature, then take out the quartz tube for quenching, and take out the reaction product in the crucible to obtain the prepared Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier.
[0022] The process of modifying ZL102 with the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier includes the following steps:
[0023] (1) Put the weighed ZL102 alloy into a graphite crucible preheated to 400°C, and heat the pit-type resistance furnace to 660°C to melt the ZL102 alloy.
[0024] (2) After raising the temperature to 800°C, add the modifier to the ZL102 alloy melt and modify it for a period of time at this temperature.
[0025] (3) After reaching the modification time, take out the crucible and cast the modified ZL102 alloy into a mold for shaping. After the mold cools to room temperature, take out the sample in the mold.
[0026] (4) Use an optical microscope to observe the microstructure of the modified ZL102 alloy. Use a universal testing machine to conduct a metal tensile test on the ZL102 alloy specimen after modification treatment to obtain the tensile strength and elongation after fracture of the ZL102 alloy casting after modification treatment with the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier.
[0027] The following examples are all carried out according to the above experimental steps.
[0028] Example 1
[0029] An Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy prepared by the present invention, calculated by atomic percentage, includes: 6% Mg, 51% B, 5% Mn, and the balance is Al. Use the prepared Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier to modify the ZL102 alloy. The addition amount of the modifier is 0.5 wt.%, the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 5 min. Observe the microstructure of the modified ZL102 alloy, measure the length of the eutectic silicon, calculate the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon, and conduct a tensile test on the modified ZL102 alloy. As Figure 1 (b) shows, the eutectic silicon is in the shape of short rods or particles. The length of the eutectic silicon is 10.05 μm, and the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon is 6.13. The length and aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon are reduced by 61.17% and 44.92% respectively compared with the unmodified ones. Through the tensile test, the tensile strength of the alloy is measured to be 191.6 MPa, and the elongation after fracture is 5.9%. The tensile strength and elongation after fracture are increased by 49.69% and 31.11% respectively compared with the unmodified ZL102 alloy.
[0030] The microstructure of the ZL102 alloy after modification with the Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 5 min is referred to Figure 1 (b).
[0031] The length and aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon of the ZL102 alloy after modification with the Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 5 min are referred to Figure 2 .
[0032] The mechanical properties of the ZL102 alloy after modification with the Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 5 min are referred to Figure 3 .
[0033] Example 2
[0034] An Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy prepared by the present invention, calculated by atomic percentage, includes: 6% Mg, 51% B, 5% Mn, and the balance is Al. The prepared Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier is used to modify the ZL102 alloy. The addition amount of the modifier is 0.5 wt.%, the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 8 min. Observe the microstructure of the modified ZL102 alloy, measure the length of the eutectic silicon, calculate the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon, and conduct a tensile test on the modified ZL102 alloy. As Figure 1 (c) shows, the eutectic silicon is in the shape of short rods or particles, the length of the eutectic silicon is 3.29 μm, the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon is 2.01, and the length and aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon are reduced by 87.23% and 81.94% respectively compared with the unmodified ones. Through the tensile test, the tensile strength of the alloy is measured to be 261 MPa, and the elongation after fracture is 6.9%. The tensile strength and elongation after fracture are increased by 103.91% and 53.33% respectively compared with the unmodified ZL102 alloy.
[0035] The microstructure of the ZL102 alloy modified by the Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 8 min is referred to Figure 1 (c).
[0036] The length and aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon of the ZL102 alloy modified by the Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 8 min are referred to Figure 2 .
[0037] The mechanical properties of the ZL102 alloy modified by the Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 8 min are referred to Figure 3 .
[0038] Example 3
[0039] An Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy prepared by the present invention, calculated by atomic percentage, includes: 6% Mg, 51% B, 5% Mn, and the balance is Al. The prepared Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier is used to modify the ZL102 alloy. The addition amount of the modifier is 0.5 wt.%, the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 10 min. Observe the microstructure of the modified ZL102 alloy, measure the length of the eutectic silicon, calculate the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon, and conduct a tensile test on the modified ZL102 alloy. As Figure 1 (d) shows, the eutectic silicon is almost completely in the shape of particles, the length of the eutectic silicon is 2.47 μm, the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon is 1.51, and the length and aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon are reduced by 90.46% and 86.43% respectively compared with the unmodified ones. Through the tensile test, the tensile strength of the alloy is measured to be 286.3 MPa, and the elongation after fracture is 7.0%. The tensile strength and elongation after fracture are increased by 123.67% and 55.56% respectively compared with the unmodified ZL102 alloy.
[0040] The microstructure of ZL102 alloy after being modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 10 min is shown in Figure 1 (d).
[0041] The eutectic silicon length and aspect ratio of ZL102 alloy after being modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 10 min are shown in Figure 2 .
[0042] The mechanical properties of ZL102 alloy after being modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 10 min are shown in Figure 3 .
[0043] Example 4
[0044] An Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy prepared by the present invention, calculated by atomic percentage, includes: 6% Mg, 51% B, 5% Mn, and the balance is Al. The prepared Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier is used to modify ZL102 alloy, the addition amount of the modifier is 0.5 wt.%, the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 15 min. Observe the microstructure of the modified ZL102 alloy, measure the length of eutectic silicon, calculate the aspect ratio of eutectic silicon, and conduct a tensile test on the modified ZL102 alloy. As Figure 1 (e) shows that most of the eutectic silicon is in the shape of short rods or particles, and a few are in the shape of short needles. The length of eutectic silicon is 8.44 μm, and the aspect ratio of eutectic silicon is 5.15. The length and aspect ratio of eutectic silicon are reduced by 67.39% and 53.73% respectively compared with those of the unmodified alloy. Through the tensile test, the tensile strength of the alloy is measured to be 213.6 MPa, and the elongation after fracture is 6%. The tensile strength and elongation after fracture are increased by 66.88% and 33.33% respectively compared with those of the unmodified ZL102 alloy.
[0045] The microstructure of ZL102 alloy after being modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 15 min is shown in Figure 1 (e).
[0046] The eutectic silicon length and aspect ratio of ZL102 alloy after being modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 15 min are shown in Figure 2 .
[0047] The mechanical properties of ZL102 alloy after being modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 15 min are shown in Figure 3 .
[0048] Example 5
[0049] An Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy prepared by the present invention, calculated by atomic percentage, includes: 6% Mg, 51% B, 5% Mn, and the balance is Al. The prepared Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier is used to modify ZL102 alloy. The addition amount of the modifier is 0.5 wt.%, the modification temperature is 800 °C, and the modification time is 20 min. Observe the microstructure of the modified ZL102 alloy, measure the length of the eutectic silicon, calculate the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon, and conduct a tensile test on the modified ZL102 alloy. As Figure 1 shown in (f), most of the eutectic silicon is in the shape of short rods or particles, and a small number are in the shape of short needles. The length of the eutectic silicon is 8.97 μm, and the aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon is 5.47. The length and aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon are reduced by 65.34% and 50.85% respectively compared with the unmodified ones. Through the tensile test, the tensile strength of the alloy is measured to be 204.3 MPa, and the elongation after fracture is 6%. The tensile strength and elongation after fracture are increased by 59.61% and 33.33% respectively compared with the unmodified ZL102 alloy.
[0050] The microstructure of ZL102 alloy modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 20 min is shown in Figure 1 (f).
[0051] The length and aspect ratio of the eutectic silicon of ZL102 alloy modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 20 min are shown in Figure 2 .
[0052] The mechanical properties of ZL102 alloy modified by Al-6Mg-51B-5Mn modifier for 20 min are shown in Figure 3 .
[0053] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention in other forms. Any person skilled in the art may use the disclosed technical content to make changes or modifications into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and improvement made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the technical solution content of the present invention still belong to the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.
Claims
1. An Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy, its preparation method and modification process, characterized in that: The chemical composition of the modifier, by atomic percentage, includes: magnesium content of 5% - 7%, boron content of 50% - 52%, manganese content of 4% - 6%, and the balance is Al.
2. An Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy, its preparation method and modification process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preparation method of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier: (1) Weigh the Al-Mg-B-Mn alloy raw materials according to the designed alloy composition ratio; (2) Place the weighed Al-Mg-B-Mn alloy raw materials in a corundum crucible and vacuum package it with a quartz tube; (3) Put the vacuum-packaged Al-Mg-B-Mn alloy raw materials into a box-type resistance furnace for stepwise melting to produce the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier.
3. The preparation method of an Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stepwise melting process: Put the quartz tube containing the modifier raw materials into a box-type resistance furnace, heat it up to 660°C - 700°C, and keep it warm for 4 hours; then heat it up to 1000°C - 1200°C again, keep it warm for 17 hours, and finally cool the temperature to 1000°C and keep it warm for 20 hours, then take out the quartz tube and quench it.
4. A kind of Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier for ZL102 alloy, its preparation method and modification process as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The modification process of the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier is as follows: Place the weighed ZL102 alloy in a graphite crucible, then put it into a pit-type resistance furnace for heating. After it becomes molten, raise the temperature to 750°C - 850°C, put the Al-Mg-B-Mn modifier with an addition amount of 0.2 - 1.2 wt.% into the ZL102 molten pool. After the modification time of 3 - 25 minutes, pour it into a metal mold.