Rheological behaviour of AZ91D magnesium alloy in semisolid state

• Published in: Canadian metallurgical quarterly 2012-04, Vol.51 (2), p.184-194
• Main Authors: Messaoud, F, Ajersch, F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AZ91D magnesium alloy; Continuous cooling regime; Dendritic and rheocast microstructures; Evolution; Magnesium base alloys; Morphology; Rheological properties; Semisolid; Semisolids; Shearing; Solid phases; Steady state regime; Step change regime; Viscosity
• ISSN: 0008-4433; 1879-1395
• DOI: 10.1179/1879139511Y.0000000025

The rheological characterisation of semisolid AZ91D magnesium alloy has been successfully studied using a Couette rheometer. Different applied regimes by varying the temperature and the shearing in semisolid state revealed the rheological behaviour of the alloy and were confirmed by microstructural evolution. The apparent viscosity was the critical parameter that was studied during the applied regimes. The change in the morphology of the solid phase during the thermomechanical treatment was the main cause of the evolution of the apparent viscosity. The evolution of the morphology of the solid phase, from dendritic to globular, due to the shearing, had a significant impact on the rheological behaviour of the slurry which was correlated to the operating conditions by an analytical model. L'étude de la caractérisation rhéologique de l'alliage de magnésium de type AZ91D à l'état semi-solide a révélé une étroite dépendance entre les conditions opératoires et les changements structuraux. Les régimes thermo-mécaniques choisis ont montré que la vitesse de refroidissement ainsi que le cisaillement imposé avaient un effet direct sur la viscosité apparente de l'alliage. Le passage d'une structure conventionnelle dendritique à une structure globulaire a réduit de manière significative la viscosité, tributaire de l'intensité ainsi que du temps de cisaillement selon un modèle analytique.