1️⃣. Magnesium alloy composition and design calculation
Simulations and calculations at the atomic level to explore interactions between different elements. Calculations based on first principles are used to predict the stability and crystal structure of different alloy components.
Study the phase diagram of magnesium alloys, including solid and liquid regions, to understand phase transitions at different temperatures and compositions. Use computational methods to predict phase transition temperatures, phase equilibria, and intertransformations of alloys.
Study the crystal structure of alloys, including grain boundaries, grain size, and defects. Design calculations are used to simulate and optimize crystal defect engineering, such as controlling grain size, shape and distribution.
Apply thermodynamic and kinetic models to predict the stability, thermal stability and phase transformation behavior of alloys at different temperatures and pressures.
Study the thermodynamic properties of alloys, such as thermal expansion, specific heat capacity, etc., and perform computational simulations to optimize material design.
Use computational methods to predict the mechanical properties (such as strength, hardness, toughness), electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, etc. of alloys.
Combining experimental data and simulation results, models are developed to predict how alloys will behave in real-world applications and enable performance optimization.
Use methods such as computational simulation, mathematical modeling, and experimental verification to design and optimize alloys to meet the requirements of specific applications and advance the fields of materials science and engineering.
2️⃣. Microstructure and characterization of magnesium alloys
Magnesium alloys generally have a hexagonal closest-packed (HCP) crystal structure. Determine its crystal structure, as well as lattice parameters such as unit cell parameters, lattice constants, etc.
Observe and characterize grain size, shape, and distribution in magnesium alloys.
Study the effect of grain boundaries on material properties, including parameters such as grain boundary clarity, grain boundary angle, and grain boundary energy.
Determine the presence and distribution of different phases in an alloy.
Study defects in materials such as voids, dislocations, etc. to understand the impact on material strength and plasticity
Through heat treatment, the microstructure of magnesium alloys can be changed, including grain size, phase transformation, etc. Comparison of alloys before and after heat treatment.
Study the surface morphology, surface roughness, surface chemical composition and other characteristics of the alloy, especially the surface characteristics in contact with the external environment. These properties have an important impact on the corrosion and wear resistance of the alloy.
Microstructural and characterization studies provide insights into properties such as performance, strength, plasticity and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys.
3️⃣. Deformation and toughening of magnesium alloys
Adjust the alloy composition and improve the deformation performance of the alloy by adding appropriate alloying elements. For example, adding elements such as aluminum and zinc can improve strength and hardness while maintaining good deformation properties.
Through heat treatment methods, such as aging treatment, solid solution treatment, etc., the grain size and grain boundary characteristics of magnesium alloys can be improved, and the balance between strength and toughness can be improved. Proper heat treatment can eliminate internal stresses and defects in the alloy and improve its deformation ability.
Through mechanical processing methods, such as rolling, extrusion, stretching, etc., the grain structure and orientation of magnesium alloys are changed, thereby improving its mechanical properties and deformation ability. These methods can refine the grains and improve the plasticity of the alloy.
Preparing nanocrystalline magnesium alloys through nanocrystal technology can significantly improve their strength and plasticity. Materials with nanocrystalline structures usually have better mechanical properties and play an important role in improving the strength and toughness of magnesium alloys.
Introducing nanoscale strengthening agents such as nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes or micron-sized particles into magnesium alloys can improve its strength and hardness while maintaining good deformation properties.
Through surface treatment technology, such as sandblasting, anodizing, etc., the surface properties of the alloy are improved, its corrosion resistance and wear resistance are improved, and it also helps to enhance its deformation ability.
Select the appropriate method or combination for deformation and toughening for your specific magnesium alloy and application needs.
4️⃣. Magnesium alloy preparation and processing
Casting is one of the commonly used methods for preparing magnesium alloys. Including die casting, sand casting, isostatic pressing casting, etc. Casting can be used to produce a large number of parts of varying shapes, but can be affected by grain size and orientation distribution.
Extrusion is to heat magnesium alloy to a high temperature and then apply pressure in a mold to cause it to deform. It is often used to produce parts in rod-shaped, tubular and other shapes. Extrusion increases the strength and plasticity of the material.
Through rolling, magnesium alloy plates or foils can be processed into different thicknesses and shapes, and are often used to prepare plates, sheets and other products.
Stretching is to heat the magnesium alloy to a suitable temperature and then perform stretching processing on a stretching machine to prepare wires or elongated materials of various shapes.
Through the powder metallurgy method, magnesium powder and alloy element powder are mixed, and magnesium alloy products of various shapes are prepared through processes such as sintering or pressing.
Including cutting processing (milling, turning, etc.), cold deformation (cold drawing, cold rolling, etc.) and hot deformation (hot extrusion, hot rolling, etc.) to change the shape and size of magnesium alloy to meet specific performance requirements.
Precision forging, high-precision machining, etc. are used to prepare parts with high precision requirements.
The preparation and processing technology of magnesium alloys need to consider the characteristics and target properties of the material, and select appropriate processing methods to meet specific engineering application requirements.
5️⃣. Magnesium alloy corrosion, surface modification and biomedical use
Magnesium alloys are prone to corrosion when encountering biological fluids (such as blood, body fluids) in the body, which may affect their long-term stability and performance. Magnesium ions released by corrosion have potential effects on surrounding tissue.
The corrosion rate of magnesium alloys is slowed down or controlled through surface coating, alloy design optimization, surface treatment and other methods to enhance its corrosion resistance in the body.
Utilize surface coating technologies, such as bio-inert coatings (bioceramics, polymers), bioactive coatings (hydroxyapatite, biodegradable polymers), etc., to improve the biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys, Promote their use in medical devices and implants.
By changing the surface morphology, adding biocompatibility functional groups, and enhancing surface bioactivity, the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of magnesium alloys in vivo can be improved.
Magnesium alloys have an elastic modulus similar to that of bone tissue and can be used as implant materials for orthopedic applications, but their biocompatibility and corrosion issues need to be addressed.
Taking advantage of the degradable properties of magnesium alloys, a drug release system is designed to achieve slow drug release by controlling the corrosion rate of the alloy.
In the biomedical field, research on corrosion problems and surface modification technology of magnesium alloys is very important. Solving the corrosion problem and improving its surface properties can expand the application scope of magnesium alloys in the biomedical field and promote their development in medical devices, implant materials, and drug delivery systems.
6️⃣. Magnesium-based functions and composite materials
Magnesium ion batteries, hydrogen storge magnesium materials
Magnesium-ion batteries are a new type of battery technology that work similarly to lithium-ion batteries but use magnesium ions to store and release charge. During the charging process, magnesium ions are embedded from the anode into the negative electrode material, and magnesium ions are released from the negative electrode material when the battery is discharged.
Hydrogen storage magnesium materials refer to magnesium-based materials that can adsorb and release hydrogen. Magnesium can react with hydrogen to form magnesium hydride, which can release hydrogen under certain conditions, and when it is necessary to store hydrogen, magnesium hydride can absorb hydrogen.
Magnesium and its alloys are biodegradable and can be used in medical implants and medical devices, gradually degrading over time without requiring secondary surgical removal.
By adding flame retardants and other substances, magnesium-based materials have flame retardant properties and can be used in special environments, such as the aerospace field.
The high thermal conductivity of magnesium-based materials makes them potential applications in the field of thermal management and is used to manufacture radiators, heat conductors, etc.
Magnesium based composites:
Composite materials that combine magnesium alloys with other metals or intermetallic compounds to increase strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.
Combining magnesium alloy with reinforcing materials such as fiber (such as carbon fiber, glass fiber) to make high-strength, lightweight composite materials, suitable for structural materials and special industrial fields.
Composite materials composed of magnesium alloys and ceramic particles (such as oxides and carbides) are used to improve wear resistance, high temperature resistance and other properties.
Composite materials composed of magnesium alloys and a variety of different functional materials (such as conductive materials, flame retardants, biomedical materials, etc.) have a variety of properties and can be used in many fields.
The development of magnesium-based functional materials and composite materials aims to use magnesium alloys as a basis, utilize its excellent properties, and combine with other materials or compounds to achieve a variety of specific functions and expand its application scope in aerospace, medical, engineering and other fields.
7️⃣. Magnesium alloy engineering applications
Automobile manufacturing is one of the largest engineering applications of magnesium alloys. Magnesium alloys are used to manufacture body structures, engine parts, seat frames, etc.
Magnesium alloys are used in the aerospace field to manufacture aircraft components, engine parts, spacecraft structures, etc. Its lightweight properties are particularly important in the aerospace field, as it can reduce the weight of aircraft and improve fuel efficiency.
Magnesium alloys are used in electronic equipment to manufacture housings, body parts, etc. Because of their good thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, they can provide effective heat dissipation for electronic equipment.
Magnesium alloys are biodegradable and have good biocompatibility in medical device manufacturing. They can be used to manufacture implantable devices, stents, screws, etc., and gradually degrade over time without the need for secondary surgical removal.
Magnesium alloys are often used in the manufacture of high-end sports equipment, such as bicycle frames, golf clubs, etc. Due to their lightweight and high-strength characteristics, they can provide better performance and control.
In some fields of engineering structures, magnesium alloys are used to manufacture bridge components, building materials, etc. Its lightweight properties help reduce structural loads and improve durability.
Due to its excellent performance characteristics, magnesium alloys are widely used in many engineering fields against the background of increasing lightweight design, high performance requirements and environmental protection requirements.