Magnesium Filler Alloy Composition for Flame-Resistant Laser Cladding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnesium alloys are rarely used in laser cladding processes due to their high fire hazard, and existing magnesium alloys do not effectively address the issue of flammability and mechanical property improvement.

Innovation Solution

A magnesium alloy composition comprising 3.0 wt% to 9.0 wt% aluminum, 0.2 wt% to 2.0 wt% calcium, 0.1 wt% to 0.8 wt% manganese, and 0.2 wt% to 2.0 wt% aluminum nitride, with a particle size of 80 nm to 400 nm, is used as a welding filler material for laser cladding, which significantly reduces flammability and achieves grain refinement, enhancing mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If magnesium alloy is used as welding filler material, then mechanical properties and ease of machining are improved, but flammability increases making it unsuitable for laser cladding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength-to-density ratioVSAvoidflammability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful flammability of magnesium alloy into a beneficial property by adding calcium (0.5-5.0 mass%) which forms a protective oxide layer that suppresses combustion. The harmful aspect (flammability) is transformed into a controlled oxidation process that actually enhances the alloy's performance in laser cladding while maintaining magnesium's excellent mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite magnesium alloy system by combining magnesium with calcium and optional additives (carbon, molybdenum, niobium, silicon, tungsten, aluminum oxide, magnesium silicide, or silicon carbide). This composite structure maintains the base magnesium's advantageous mechanical properties while the calcium and additives provide flame resistance and controlled reactivity during laser processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If aluminum nitride is added to magnesium alloy, then grain refinement is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrain refinementVSAvoidalloy composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the aluminum nitride content parameter within a specific range (0.5-5.0 mass%) to achieve effective grain refinement while avoiding excessive complexity. By defining precise compositional parameters and their interactions, the patent transforms a potentially complex multi-parameter optimization problem into a controlled compositional design space that is manageable in production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If calcium is added to reduce flammability, then flame resistance is improved, but alloy composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame resistanceVSAvoidalloy composition
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines a specific calcium content range (0.5-5.0 mass%) that provides adequate flame resistance while avoiding excessive alloy complexity. This parameter optimization allows the alloy to achieve the desired flame resistance with a controlled amount of calcium, preventing the formation of too many intermetallic phases and maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The magnesium alloy composition reduces flammability and improves mechanical properties, making it suitable for laser cladding and enhancing the application possibilities of magnesium materials in industries such as mechanical engineering, automobiles, engines, and aircraft.

Implementation Method 1

the addition or alloying of calcium (Ca) to the raw magnesium alloy significantly reduces or prevents the alloy's flammability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlammability reduction through alloying:

Implementation Method 2

the additional addition of aluminum nitride (AlN), preferably in the form of nanoparticles, achieves significant grain refinement in the produced alloy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrain refinement: Nucleation

Implementation Method 3

the magnesium alloy does not ignite when the magnesium alloy is melted as a welding filler material by a high-energy laser beam from a laser cladding device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3896182B1Magnesium alloy for laser build-up welding
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM HEREON GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a magnesium alloy, preferably for the production of a welding filler material, in particular in the form of a wire or strip, for, in particular, wire-based, laser cladding. The magnesium alloy consists, based on the total weight of the alloy, of the following components: 3.0 wt.% to 9.0 wt.% aluminum (Al), 0.2 wt.% to 2.0 wt.% calcium (Ca), 0.1 wt.% to 0.8 wt.% manganese (Mn), 0.2 wt.% to 2.0 wt.% aluminum nitride (AlN), and magnesium and unavoidable impurities, in particular those resulting from the manufacturing process, as residues.