EFFCT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AZ91 Mg ALLOY

A project report submitted to the

Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge of Technologies

for the award of degree of

Bachelor of Technology

In

Mechanical Engineering

Submitted by

A. Rajesh N100015 P. Chandri Naidu N100999

S.Saritha N100041 T.G.Bhavani N100047

S.P.D.Posamma N100132

Under the esteemed guidance of

Dr.B.RATNA SUNIL

Mr.MITHUN SARKAR

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGEIS

NUZVID, A.P – 521202

MAY 2016

i
 RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE
TECHNOLOGIES
(A.P. Government Act 18 of 2008)
RGUKT-NUZVID
Nuzvid, Krishna, Andhra Pradesh – 521202.
Phone: 08656 – 235147; Telefax: 08656 – 235150

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that “ EFFCT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE

AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AZ91 Mg ALLOY”submitted by
A.RAJESH(N100015),P.CHANDRI NAIDU(N100999), S.SARITHA(N100041),
T.G.BHAVANI(N100047), S.P.D.POSAMMA(N100132) to the Rajiv Gandhi University of
knowledge Technologies, Nuzvid is a record of bonafide project work under my (our)
supervision and we consider it worthy of consideration for the award of Bachelor of
Technology in Mechanical Engineering.

Project guide Head of the Department

Dr. B.RATNA SUNIL Dr. J.SRINIVASA RAO

Mr.MITHUN SARKAR Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering RGUKT – NUZVID

RGUKT – NUZVID

DATE

i
 RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE
TECHNOLOGIES
(A.P. Government Act 18 of 2008)
RGUKT-NUZVID
Nuzvid, Krishna, Andhra Pradesh – 521202.
Phone: 08656 – 235147; Telefax: 08656 – 235150

APPROVAL OF THE VIVA- VOCE BOARD

Date:
This is to certify that“ EFFCT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AZ91 Mg ALLOY”submitted
byA.RAJESH(N100015),P.CHANDRI NAIDU(N100999), S.SARITHA(N100041),
T.G.BHAVANI(N100047), S.P.D.POSAMMA(N100132)to theRajiv Gandhi University of
knowledge Technologies, nuzvid is a record of bona fide project work under my (our)
supervision and we consider it worthy of consideration for the award of Bachelor of
Technology in Mechanical Engineeringhas been accepted by the External Examiners and that
these students have successfully defended the project in the Viva – Voce examination held
today.

Project guide External Examiner(s)

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is with a feeling of great pleasure that we would like to express our most sincere
heartfelt gratitude to Dr. B.Ratnasunil, Mr.MithunSarkar, Rajiv Gandhi University of
Knowledge Technologies for suggesting the topic for our project report and for theirready and
able guidance throughout the course of our report preparation. We are greatly indebted to them
for their constructive suggestions and criticism from time to time during the course of our work.

We express our sincere thanks to Dr.J.SrinivasaRao, Head of the Department of

Mechanical Engineering, RGUKTNUZVID for providing us the necessary facilities in the
department. We are also thankful to Mr. V.Sunil, Mrs.Saranya, Mr. Hanuman of the Department
Metallurgy andthe staff of mechanical department for supporting throughout the project.

We feel pleased and privileged to fulfill our parent ambition and we are greatly indebted
to them for bearing the inconvenience during our B.Tech course.

iii
 DECLARATION
We certify that

 The work contained in the project is original and has been done by myself under
the general supervision of my supervisor.
 The work has not been submitted to any other Institute for any degree or diploma.
 We had followed the guidelines provided by the institute in writing the report.
 We have conformed to the norms and guidelines given in the Ethical Code of
Conduct of the Institute.
 Whenever we have used materials( data, theoretical analysis, and text ) from the
sources, we have given due credit to then text of the thesis and given their details
in the references.
 Whenever we have quoted written material from other sources, we have put them
under quotation marks and given due to the sources by citing then and giving
required details in the references.

Yours sincerely,

A.Rajesh(N100015)

P.Chandrinaidu(N100999)

S.Saritha(N100041)

T.G.Bhavani(N100047)

S.P.D.Posamma(N100132)

iv
 ABSTRACT

In the present study,effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties

of AZ91 Mg alloy was studied. Heat treatment was carried out for different durations (6hr, 12
hrs, 24 hrs). The microstructure of the specimens was observed by using optical microscope for
all the three different cases before and after heat treatment. The microstructure was observed as
changed for three different samples along with received sample.

Microhardness of the specimens was measured by using Vickers hardness indentation

method. Toughness of the samples was measured by charpy test. Measurements were done for all
the samples before and after heat treatment. Due to increased solubility of Al in Mg and
decreased amount of secondary phase distribution after heat treatment, hardness and toughness
were found to be increased. The results clearly showed the influence of heat treatment on
microstructure and enhancing the hardness and toughness of AZ91 Mg alloy.

v
 Nomenclature and Abbreviations

 Al -Aluminium
 Zn -Zinc
 Mn -Manganese
 Fe -Ferrous
 Mg -Magnesium
 Si -Silicon
 Hr -hours
 HT -Heat treatment
 α -Magnesium+Aluminium
 β -Mg17Al12 (intermetallic compound)

vi
 CONTENTS
Title Page i

Certificate of Approval ii

Certificate iii

Acknowledgement iv

Declaration v

Abstract vi

Contents vii

List of figures & Graphs ix

List of Tables x

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Magnesium 1
1.2 Magnesium alloys 1
1.3 Why Magnesium? 2
1.4 Advantages of Mg and Mg alloys 2
1.5 Disadvantages of Mg and Mg alloys 3
1.6 AZ series Mg alloys 3
1.7 AZ91 Mg alloys 3

Chapter2 LITERATURE SURVEY

2.1 Mg and its alloys AZ91 4

2.2 Characteristics of AZ91 5

vii
Chapter 3 OBJECTIVES 6

Chapter 4 METHODOLOGY

4.1 Work plan 7

4.2 Experimental details 8
4.2.1 Mirostructure 8
4.2.2 Heat treatment of AZ91 Mg alloy 8
4.2.3 Experimental procedure 9
4.3 Vickers Microhardness test 10
4.4 Imapact Strength 12
4.4.1 Charpy V-notch 12

Chapter 5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

5.1 Microstructure 15
5.1.1 Before heat treatment 15
5.1.2 After 6hrs heat treatment 15
5.1.3 After 6hrs heat treatment 16
5.1.4 After 6hrs heat treatment 16
5.2 Hardness Observation tables 19
5.3 Impact Test Observation table 21

Chapter 6 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE

6.1 Future scope 23

Chapter 7 REFFERENCES 24

LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 4.1 flow chart of the work plan 7
Fig 4.2.2: Phase diagram of binary system of Mg-Al 8

viii
Fig 4.3: Vickers Micro Hardness Tester 11

Fig 4.4.1:Charpy test 12

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1: Composition of AZ series 7

Table 5.1: Hardness values of specimen before 17

and after 6hr HT

Table 5.2: Hardness values of specimen after 18

12hr & 24hr HT

Table 5.3: Hardness values of specimens 19

1 mm apart

Table 5.4: Tougness values of specimen 21

before and after HT

LIST OF GRAPHS
Graph 5.3: Distance Vs Hardness 20

Graph 5.4: Heat treatment samples vs toughness 21

LIST OF BAR CHARTS

Bar chart 5.1: Heat treatment samples 19

vs average hardness

Bar chart 5.2: Distance vs hardness 20

Bar chart 5.3: Heat treatment samples vs toughness 22

ix
x
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to Magnesium:

Magnesium is the ninth most abundant element in universe. It’s melting point is 923 k,
boiling point is 1363 k. It’s color is silver white or grey colored metal that is high strength to
weight ratio. It can be hot- worked easily but requires to be cold worked carefully. It has poor
resistance to corrosion when air is humid and contains traces of salt.Corrosion resistance can be
improved by painting

1.2 Introduction to Mg alloys:

The increasing demand for reducing weight in aerospace and automotive application has
become a strong motivation for research concerning advanced materials with low weight and
high performance. Magnesium alloys offer light weight alternatives to conventional metallic
alloys because of their low density. Currently in industrial manufacturing processes, magnesium
has not been widely utilized because of its limited strength and toughness.

Magnesium alloys are light metallic structural materials with a unique combination of
properties, which are very attractive in such applications as the automobile, aerospace and
industries. The use of magnesium alloys has become significant due to a one-third lower density
of magnesium compared with aluminium, improved damping ability, a higher resistance to
corrosion and better mechanical properties. In lightweight magnesium alloys, aluminium
constitutes the main alloying element, chiefly because of its low price, availability, low density
and the advantageouseffects on corrosion and strength properties. The AZ91 alloy (contains
about 9 wt.% Al and 1 wt.% Zn, with addition of about 0.4 wt.% Mn) is the most widely used
magnesium alloy exhibiting a good combination of high strength at room temperature, good
castabilityand excellent corrosion resistance.

The disadvantage of Mg alloy materials are the poor workability because of their
hexagonal closed packed structure and the degradation of mechanical properties at elevated
temperatures. Another disadvantage is the fire risk of Mg alloys at high cutting speeds. We know
that materials with small grain size have excellent mechanical properties. Reduction of the mean
grain size is expected to increase the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength at room
temperature.

1
1.3 Why Magnesium?

Magnesium is a fairly strong, silvery-white, light-weight metal. It is protected by a thin

layer of oxide which is fairly impermeable and hard to remove. Magnesium reacts with water at
room temperature, though it reacts much more slowly than calcium.

Magnesium alloy with a density of around 1.74 gm/cm3 is one of the lightest structural
metals, which has excellent mechanical properties, such as high specific strength and high
specific stiffness. Due to low density, it is used in many applications including
telecommunication, automotive, protable microelectronics, materials-handling and aerospace
industries. In automotive industry, the utilization of magnesium alloys as automotive
components is a main concern to reduce fuel consumption and associated reductions in vehicles
mass leading to reduced discharge of air pollutants such as SOX, CO2, and NOX emissions

AZ91Mg allys contains 9% of mass as aluminium nearly 1% of mass as zinc and nearly
0.3% of mass as Manganese. Based on aluminium mass percent AZ series of mg alloy is vary. It
contains AZ01,AZ21,AZ31,AZ41,AZ61,AZ91 varieties in AZ series in Mg alloys. Strength and
hardness of Mg cast alloys increase with the increase of aluminium content while the ductility
decreases.

1.4 Advantages of Mg and Mg alloys:

 Low density of all metallic constructional materials

 Excellent strength to weight ratio
 High specific strength and specific stiffness
 Good castability, suitable for high pressure dye casting
 Can be turned/milled at high speeds
 Good weldability under control atmosphere
 Much improved corrosion resistance using high purity mg
 Readily available
 Most alloys have high fluidity
 Mg has a low volumetric specific heat compared with Al, Zn
 Compared with polymeric materials
 Better mechanical properties
 Resistance to aging
 Better electrical and thermal conductivity
 Recyclable

2
1.5 Disadvantages of Mg and Mg alloys:

 Poor workability because of its hexagonal structure

 At high elevated temperatures, mechanical properties are alter
 At high cutting speeds, fire risk will takes place
 Machining is difficult
 Low elastic modulus
 Limited cold workability and toughness
 Limited high strength and creep resistance at elevated temperatures
 High degree of shrinkage on solidification
 High chemical reactivity
 In some applications, limited corrosion resistance

1.6 AZ series Mg alloys:

 AZ21
 AZ31
 AZ61
 AZ91

Table1.1: Composition of AZ series

Alloys Al Zn Mn Si Fe Mg
AZ31 2.9 1.0 0.5 0.10 0.027 Rust
AZ61 6.53 0.93 0.15 0.11 0.028 Rust
AZ91 9.5 0.96 0.11 0.16 0.022 Rust

1.7 AZ91 Mg alloys:

AZ91 Mg alloy is one of the most widely used commercial Mg alloys due to its superior
castability, mechanical strength and ductility of all the Mg-based alloyed.

According to the phase diagram the microstructure of Mg–Al alloys is generally

characterized by a solid solution of aluminum in magnesium (an αphase with a hexagonal
closely-packed, hcp structure) and the ß-phase thus forming the intermetallic compound
Mg17Al12. Discontinuous precipitates (DPs) are formed at grain boundaries in this alloy whereas
continuous precipitates occur in the Mg matrix.

3
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE SURVEY

2.1 Magnesium and its alloys:

In terms of processing, magnesium alloys can be divided into cast and wrought alloys.
Wrought alloys are initially cast as ingots or billets and subsequently hot or cold worked
mechanically into the desired form. Cast alloys are cast directly into their final form by one of
the various methods such as sand-casting, die or pressure die casting. Casting is used for
complex product shapes. The main commercial magnesium alloys include the AZ series (Mg-Al-
Zn), AM series (Mg-Al-Mn), AE series (Mg-Al-RE), EZ series (Mg-RE-Zn), ZK series (Mg-Zn-
Zr) and WE series (Mg-RE-Zr) [2].

Magnesium and its alloys have numerous areas of use due to their mechanical, physical,
and chemical properties. In addition to possessing especially low density, high strength, and wear
properties, such characteristics of these alloys as being among the lightest construction metals,
and also weight-strength and weight-hardness properties enabled use of these alloys in many
areas, predominantly in logistics, automotive and aviation. For this reason, recent years saw an
increase in the number of studies on the preparation of magnesium alloys with varying alloy
properties and on the development of such characteristics as mechanical properties, hardness and
wear.

AZ91 series:

It is of importance for magnesium alloys to be used predominantly in automotive,

aviation and logistics sectors in terms of reducing weight, efficient use of energy resources and
decreasing environmentally harmful emissions (SOX, CO2 and NOX emissions). Within this
scope, among the most commonly used magnesium alloys in today’s industries are AZ series
magnesium alloys (aluminium (Al),zinc(Zn)).

Magnesium is the lightest metal among all the practical structure materials. With the
characteristics of lightweight, low density, easy recycling and high specific strength and rigidity,
magnesium alloys are very attractive in the transport technology, 3 (computer, communication
and consumer electronics), aerospace and construction applications. In addition, the properties of
electromagnetic interference shielding and vibration absorption of Mg alloys greatly exceed
those of other materials. However, the major obstacle to the practical application of Mg alloys is
the poor formability and workability at room temperature due to their hexagonal close packed
(hcp) crystal structure. The poor formability and workability of magnesium alloys are caused by
the insufficient number of slip systems; only two independent slip systems are available at room
temperature.

4
2.2 Characteristics of AZ91:

AZ91 containing about 9 wt.% Al and 1 wt.% Zn is the most widely used, not only for
making automotive components but also for other structural components because of its
combination of excellent castability and reasonable mechanical properties at room temperature
with good corrosion resistance. About 90% of the magnesium cast products currently used are
made of AZ91. The strength of pure magnesium is too low for most industrial applications.
Therefore, as well as its corrosion resistance. The major alloying elements used in magnesium
alloys include aluminium, beryillium, zinc, silicon and calcium.

5
 CHAPTER 3
OBJECTIVES
 To modify the microstructure of AZ91 Mg alloy by heat treatment for different intervals
of time.
 To investigate the effect of heat treatment on microstructure and phase distribution in
AZ91 Mg alloy
 To investigate the effect of the heat treatment on microhardness and toughness of heat
treated AZ91 Mg alloy

6
 CHAPTER 4
METHODOLOGY

4.1 Work plan

AZ91 Mg alloys

As received material Heat Treatment (Electric

(Before heat treatment) Heat Treatment Furnace)

MICROSTRUCTURE of AZ91 MICROSTRUCTURE of

Mg alloys (Optical heat treated AZ91 Mg
Microscope) alloys (Optical

HARDNESS AND IMPACT HARDNESS AND IMPACT

STRENGTH STRENGTH
(Hardness- Vickers Micro (Hardness- Vickers Micro
Hardness tester) Hardness tester)
(Imapact strength – (Imapact strength –
Charpy

Results and Discussions

Conclusions

Fig 4.1 flow chart of the work plan

7
4.2 EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS:
4.2.1 Microstructure:

The internal structure of a material can be microstructure. In this primary and secondary
distribution ill e find. Microstructure can be seen with the help of optical microscope, X-ray
diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM). These instruments shows the microstructure
image but the clarity of the image depend on the lens.

4.2.2Heat treatment of AZ91 Mg alloy:

Heat treatment is a solutionizing process. Solutionizing is a first step in precipitating

hardnening process where the alloy is heated above the solvus temperature(410°C) and soaked
there until a homogeneous solid solution(α) is produced.The segregation present in original alloy
is reduced.

By quenching and then reheating an AZ91 Mg alloy, a fine dispersion of precipitates

forms within a grain. These precipitates are effective in hindering dislocation motion and,
consequently, increasing alloy hardness (and strength). This process is known as precipitation
hardening, or age hardening .

Fig 4.2.2:Phase diagram for the binary system Mg-Al[8]

8
 The β -phase (called also γ-phase) is an intermetallic compound with a stoichiometric
composition of Mg17Al12. In comparison with binary Mg–Al, new phases do not appear in
commercial ternary alloys with zinc (like AZ91) when the Al to Zn ratio is larger than 3:1. In
this case, the zinc substitutes aluminum in the γ-Mg17Al12phase, creating a ternary intermetallic
compound Mg17Al11.5Zn0.5 or Mg17(Al,Zn)12type.

4.2.3Experimental procedure:

Take the AZ91 Mg alloy of 4 specimens with 10X10(mm) dimensions. Three specimens
for to undergo heat treatment and other is for without heat treatment. Place the three specimens
in “Electric heat treatment furnace” at 410°C and 5°C/min (installed programmed manner)
during 6hrs, 12 hrs, 24 hrs for 1st,2nd and 3rd specimens.

Time analysis for heat treatment:

For 6 hrs : It was started from 10:58 AM – 4:58 PM

For 12 hrs : It took 5:15 PM – 11:15PM

For 24 hrs : It took 11:30 PM – 11:30 AM

The time intervals between the 6,12,24 hrs are delay periods. Whenever the specimen removed
from the furnace, heat is rejected to the atmosphere. So the furnace is cooled down. To get the
required temperature conditions, it takes some more time.

After getting removed the specimen from the furnace, it is dipped in the liquid bath (water
quenching take place) for 2 minutes.

Leveling and polishing has been done by using 220 silicon carbide water proof abrasive papers
i.e 400,600,800,1000,1200 and 1500 for any of the side

Disc Polisher(alumina paste) has been used varying between the speed 229.4 to 230
rpm.The process is:

 Switch on the power

 Drop the alumina paste in the aquatic form
 Make sure the specimen does not slip and continue polishing till it free
from burrs.

Later etching has to be done. Etching involves:

1Dip the specimen in the picral solution.

2Later, quinch it in the distilled water.

3Finally, immerse it in the ethanol and then dry it the atmosphere.

9
 The required composition for picral solution:

Picric acid – 1.25g

Acetic acid – 1.25ml

Distilled water – 1.25ml

Ethonal or methonal – 25ml

Placed the specimen on the microscopic lens and with using different magnification lens
like 200µm,50µm etc, captured the images(microstructures).

Finally observed the microstructure of(each) AZ91 Mg alloy

4.3 VickersMicroHardness Test:

Hardness measurement can be defined as macro, micro or nano scale according to the
force applied and displacements obtained. Vickers Microhardness tester is use for micro loads
application with accuracy by the metals industry.

The Vicker hardness test was developed in 1921 by Robert L.Smith and George E.
Sandland at Vickers Ltd as an alternative to the Brinell method to measure the hardness of
materials. The Vickers test is often easier to use than other hardness tests since the required
calculations are independent of the size of the indenter, and the indenter can be used for all
materials irrespective of hardness. The basic principle, as with all common measure of hardness,
is to observe the questioned material’s ability to resist plastic deformation from a standard
source. The Vickers test can be used for all metals and has one of the widest scales among
hardness tests. The unit of hardness given by the test is known as the Vickers Pyramid Number
(HV) or Diamond Pyramid Hardness (DPH). The hardness number can be converted into units of
pascals, but should not be confused with pressure, which also has units of pascals. The hardness
number is determined by the load over the surface area of the indentation and not the area normal
to the force, and is therefore not pressure.

Vickers indenter is made of diamond in the form of square based pyramid.Micro

indenters works by pressing a tip into a sample and continuously measuring: applied load,
penetration depth and cycle time.

Step involved in this process:

 Vickers hardness is measured by using Micro hardness tester.

 The micro-hardness tester is semi-automatic in operation.
 The loads are applied are in the range of 15-1000gms depending on the requirements of
the tester.

10
 Fig4.3: Vickers Micro Hardness Tester

 The specimen surface is brought close to the indenter, the preset load is applied for some
definite time and load is removed automatically.
 The duration of load is generally in between 10 to 30 seconds.
 The loads are slowly applied to avoid errors due to inertia effects.
 After an impression has been made on the test surface, the diagonals of square
impressions are measured by a specialmeasuring microscope.
 The center of the impression will not be closer to any edge of the test specimen.
 Both diagonals of the impression shall be measured and their mean value used as a bases
for calculation for the Vickers hardness number.
 Vickers hardness number is calculated by using the formula VHN=1.8544P/d^2

where,

P=applied load in kgf

1kfg=9.81 N

D=diagonal of square based pyramid impression in mm

Units of HV=kilogram-fore per square millimeter(kgf/mm2).

11
4.4Impact strength:

The charpy test, izod test and other impact testing determines material toughness or
impact strength in the presence of a flaw or notch and fast loading conditions. This destructive
test involves fracturing a notched specimen and measuring the amount of energy absorbed by the
material during fracture.

4.4.1 Charpy Test:

Charpy impact test is also known as V-notch test. Charpy (simple beam) test is a
standardized high strain rate test which determines the amount of energy absorbed by material
during fracture. The absorbed energy is a measure of given materials notch toughness and act as
a tool to study temperature-dependent ductile brittle transition

Specimen Preparation:

This test is not satisfactory in the case of non-ferrous metals and hardened steels. This
particularly suits ferrous metals, except cast iron and also for die cast alloys and all other body-
centered cubic metals undergo a transition from ductile behavior at higher temperaturesto brittle
behavior at lower temperatures.

Eg: AZ91 alloys

Figure 4.4.1: Charpy test

12
Procedure:
1. Temperature of Testing:
Impact energy values usually vary with temperature in most of materials. Unless
otherwise specified, tests are made in between 15-32°c.For accuracy of results at other
temperatures, alternative testing procedure are to be followed.

2. Placement of test specimen in machine:

In placing the specimen (eg V-notch specimen) in the machine, tongs are used. In
the case of other specimens, a modification in the tong design is necessary.

3. Operation of machine:
Let the energy indicator at the maximum scale reading. Take the test specimen
and place it in proper position on the specimen anvils and release the pendulum
smoothly. The entire sequence can take less than 5s.
 If any specimen fails to break, do not repeat the blow but record the fact
indicating whether the failure to break occured through extreme ductility or
lack of sufficient energy in the blow. Results of such tests shall not be
included in the average.
 If any machine jams in the machine disregard the results and check the
machine thoroughly for damage
 The amount of energy required to fracture the specimen is determined from
the machine reading.

4. Fracture Appearance:
 If material breaks on a flat plane, the fracture was brittle.
 If materials break with jagged edges, the fracture was ductile.
 Usually a material does not break in one way or the other and thus
comparing, the jagged to flat surface areas of the fracture will give an
estimate of the percentage of ductile and brittle fracture.

Precautions:

 Precautions should be taken in case of swinging pendulum and flying broken

specimen to protect personnel.
 .The machine shall be bolted to a foundation having a mass not less than 40 times
of that pendulum
 Error in the scale reading at any point should not exceed 0.2% of the range to
0.4% of the reading.

The supports and striking edge shall be of forms and dimensions so as to minimize interference
between the pendulum and the broken specimens.

13
Application:

The impact test is required to evaluate the toughness of materials usedby many industries
including steel hull plate for ships, nuclear plant pressure vessels and forgings for electricpower
plant generator rotors and bridges and also to determine how storms will effect materials used in
them.

14
 CHAPTER 5

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

5.1 Microstructure:

5.1.1Before heat treatment:

Fig 5.1.1 Before heat treatment

5.1.2After 6hrs heat treatment:

Fig 5.1.2 After 6hrs heat treatment

15
 5.1.3 After 12 hrs heat treatment:

Fig 5.1.3 After 12 hrs heat treatment

5.1.4 After 24 hrs heat treatment:

Fig 5.1.4 After 24 hrs heat treatment

16
Hardness values:
Table 5.1: Hardness values of specimen before HT and after 6hr HT

HARDNESS
Type of phases
Before heat treatment 6 hours heat treatment

57.9 39.5

56.9 64.2
α PHASE
59.5 52.5

AVERAGE 58.1 52.067

73.9 106.5

87.9 38
β PHASE
60.2 24

AVERAGE 74 56.167

118.4 59.3

80.4 57.1
α + β PHASE
79.4 60.2

AVERAGE 92.9 58.867

17
Table 5.2 Hardness values of specimen after 12hr and 24hr HT
HARDNESS
Type of phases
12 hours heat treatment 24 hours heat treatment

56.5 58.6

56.4 60.9
α PHASE

59.3 59.1

AVERAGE 57.4 59.533

69.5 79.4

β PHASE 65.8 71

56.2 103.5

AVERAGE 63.833 84.633

71.3 109

α + β PHASE 70.6 84.3

63.5 70.2

AVERAGE 68.4667 87.83

18
Table 5.3: Hardness values 1mm apart on specimens:

HT Type

HARDNESS

Distance
(mm) Before HT 6 hr HT 12 hr HT 24 hr HT
1 51.9 102.6 38.1 60.1
2 64.5 48.9 42.9 62.5
3 55.3 37.3 54.4 68.7
4 55.1 56.9 80.9 68.9
5 60.8 90 76.8 83.3
6 68.6 67.7 54.7 73.2
7 64.9 43.4 35.9 57.5
8 46.8 86.9 70.7 54.5
9 60 51.1 44.2 63.1
10 42 47.9 55.8 57.4
Avg 56.99 63.27 55.44 64.92

Bar chart 5.1: Heat treatment duration vs Average hardness:

Avg. Hardness
70

60

50

40

30 Avg. Hardness
20

10

0
before HT 6 Hrs HT 12 Hrs HT 24Hrs HT

Bar chart5.1: Heat treatment samplesvs Average hardness

19
Bar chart 5.2:Distance Vs Hardness

Chart Title
120
100
80
hardness

60
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Series1 51.9 64.5 55.3 55.1 60.8 68.6 64.9 46.8 60 42
Series2 102.6 48.9 37.3 56.9 90 67.7 43.4 86.9 51.1 47.9
Series3 38.1 42.9 54.4 80.9 76.8 54.7 35.9 70.7 44.2 55.8
Series4 60.1 62.5 68.7 68.9 83.3 73.2 57.5 54.5 63.1 57.4

Bar chart 5.2: Distance Vs Hardness

Graph 5.3: Distance VsHardness

Chart Title
120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

beforeht 6hr 12hr 24hr

Graph 5.3: Distance Vs Hardness

20
5.4 Charpy valuesobserved:
HT Type
Before HT 6 Hours HT 12 Hours HT 24 Hours HT

Type Energy Strengt Energy Strengt Energy Strengt Energy Strengt

of (J) h (J) h (J) h (J) h
specimen (J/cm²) (J/cm²) (J/cm²) (J/cm²)

Specimen 2.1 2.7 3.1 3.9 2.7 3.4 3.9 4.9

1
Specimen 2.5 3.1 2.7 3.4 2.9 3.6 2.9 3.6
2
Specimen 2.3 2.9 2.9 3.6 2.9 3.6 3.1 3.9
3
Avg 2.3 2.9 2.9 3.63 2.83 3.53 3.3 4.13

Graph 5.2: Heat treatment samples Vs Toughness:

Toughness
3.5

2.5

1.5 Toughness

0.5

0
0 hrs 6 hrs 12 hrs 24 hrs

Graph 5.4: heat treatment samples vsToughnes

21
Bar chart 5.4:: Heat treatment samples Vs Toughness

Toughness
3.5

2.5

1.5 Toughness

0.5

0
0 hrs 6 hrs 12 hrs 24 hrs
Bar diagram
5.4: Samples vs Toughness

Discussions:
1. There are three slip systems in Hexagonal closed packed (hcp) (hcp) crystal structure. But
for the slipping action we need atleast five slip systems. Hence twinning takes place.
Because of this, both toughness
t and hardness values are varied.
2. Due to heating, the atoms are moving randomly. But when we quenched the heated
working material suddenly, the atoms will not get time to set in their original position.
They are unable to move in any direction. We need a lot of energy to remove the
dislocations and thus increase brittleness.
3. Because of increasing
sing the soaking time,
time the solubility of β in α-phase
phase is increased. So
the β-phase
phase is gradually dissolved into α-phase.
phase. Thus the concentration of aluminium
in Mg is decreased as the heat treated duration increases. es. Finally increased α
concentration enters a supersaturated state.This
state This helps in increase in hardness value of
working material.
4. That is what we observed in the microstructure images, where the β β-phase is
gradually decreasing and theα-phase
the continuity is increased.
5. The structure of α--phase
phase has Hexagonal closed pack structure. But increased
concentration disturbs its structure and leads to increase in its distortion. At the grain
boundary,, the dislocation movementis gradually decreased. So we need to apply
more energy to break
brea the material. Hence, the toughness is increased as the heat
duration increased.

22
 CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE

This experimental study compares microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 Mg alloy
before and after heat treatment(solutionizing) for different intervals for 6 hours, 12 hours, 24
hours at the temperature of 410º C. The following conclusions are drawn.

o As the heat treatment duration increases, the β phase gradually dissolved and the pure α-
phase is gradually increased which leads to change in microstructure of the AZ91 Mg
alloy.

o The mechanical property, i.e hardness is varied as the heat treatment duration increased
.

6.1 FUTURE SCOPE

i. In this project, the material is heated up to 410º c temperature which is a
solvustemperature.So further research can be done on above and below 410º c
and can observe the changes in microstructure.
ii. We did hardening process only. There is a chance of using other heat
treatment processes, for ex: annealing, normalizing etc…
iii. We did our hardness test on Vickers hardness test, so there is a chance to
identify the variation of hardness as the process changes. For ex:using
Rockwell hardness tester.
iv. You can perform on other mechanical properties likeCreep, Fatigue strength,
Grain size, Grain type and grain distribution.
v. You can also perform on chemical properties like corrosion..

23
 CHAPTER 7

REFERENCES
[1] KING J.F. Development of practical high temperature magnesium casting alloys, magnesium
alloys and their applications [M]. Weinheim : WILEY –VCH,2000: 14-22.

[2] KING J.F. Technology of magnesium alloys, magnesium technology [m]. Verlag Berlin
Heidelberg: Springer,2006.

[3] Katarzyna N. Braszczyńska-Malik ,Institute of Materials Engineering Technical University of

Częstochowa Poland.

[4] K.A Dahle, Z.C. Lee, M.D. Nave, P.L. Schaffer, D.H.Johnson, Development of the as- case
microstructure in magnesium alloys, Journal of Light Metals 1, 2001.

[5] T.Ungar, J. Gubicza, G.Ribarik, A. Borbely, J.Appl. Cryst.34(2001)298.

[6] A.Mussi.PhD Thesis, INP Grenoble, 2003.

[7] S.R.Agnew, O.Duygulu, Mater. Sci.Forum 419-422(2003)177.

[8] S.Kleiner, O.Beffort, A. Wahlen, P.J.Uggowitzer, J. Light Met, 2(2002)277.

[9] P.Lukac ,K.Mathis, Kovovoe Mater.40 (2002) 281.

[10] M.H.Yoo, Metail. Trans. A 12 (1981) 12.

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