• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.190-195
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• 2012

This study aims to investigate and compare the microstructures and room temperature tensile properties for AZ91 and ECO-AZ91 (AZ91+0.3%CaO) alloys in as-cast, T4 and T6 states, respectively. In as-cast state, the ECO-AZ91 alloy has finer microstructure than the AZ91 alloy. The AZ91 alloy exhibits greater ductility, while YS and UTS are inferior to those of the ECO-AZ91 alloy. After T4 treatment, most of ${\beta}$ compounds disappear in the AZ91 alloy, whereas ${\beta}$ phase is still observed in the ECO-AZ91 alloy due to its enhanced thermal stability, resulting in lower values of ductility and UTS. In T6 state, YS and UTS are better in the ECO-AZ91 alloy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2011

Effect of CaO addition on age hardening response has been studied by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis in AZ91 and CaO-containing ECO-AZ91 alloys. After solution treatment, the ${\beta}$($Mg_{17}Al_{12}$) phase formed during solidification mostly disappeared in the microstructure in the AZ91 alloy, whereas numerous ${\beta}$ precipitates containing Ca were still observed in the ECO-AZ91 alloy due to its enhanced thermal stability. The ECO-AZ91 alloy showed the delayed peak aging time and higher peak hardness compared with those of the AZ91 alloy. The activation energies for ${\beta}$ precipitation calculated by means of Kissinger method increased from 71.4 to 85.6 kJ/mole by the addition of CaO, which implies that CaO plays a role in reducing ${\beta}$ precipitation rate in the AZ91 alloy.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.224-230
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• 2010

To prevent oxidation of Mg melt, $SF_6$ gas has been generally used for Mg alloys during melting and casting as a cover gas. The use of $SF_6$ gas, however, will be restricted owing to its crucial impact on global warming. Non-$SF_6$ process during melting and casting in diecasting industry has been proved with Eco-Mg alloys by a simple addition of small amount of CaO into Mg alloys. This paper shows non-$SF_6$ diecasting procedures for 0.7wt% CaO added AZ91D Eco-Mg alloys. Cold-chamber diecasting was performed under $CO_2$ atmosphere without $SF_6$ gas. An increment of mechanical properties, especially strength and ductility of Eco-Mg alloys is, in part, due to high-quality melt, refined grain size and $Al_2Ca$ second phase strengthening. Microstructures and mechanical properties of 0.7wt% CaO added AZ91D Eco-Mg alloys are evaluated in comparison with those of conventional AZ91D Mg alloy.