Abstract
A method for revealing the localised work hardened region (plastic deformation zone) in Mg-9Al-1Zn alloy (AZ91) has been developed using a new etching technique. With this technique, etching with the solution (9 g picric acid, 30 mL acetic acid, 150 mL ethyl alcohol and 20 mL H2O) was executed on the samples after plastic deformation and then heating to 300°C for 3 h. Because of the high strain energy in the plastic deformation zone, the microstructural characteristic in the deformation zone changed substantially after the heating process, where severe precipitation of Mg17Al 12 phase occurred in the Mg rich α phase. With the change of microstructural characteristics, the deformation region can be revealed. The plastic zone was revealed by the different degrees of etching response in the deformation and undeformed regions; the plastic zone was slightly etched, whereas the other region was deeply etched. From the different surface height level, the deformation zone was found to be observable even at low magnification.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 76-80 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Materials Science and Technology |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Etching technique
- Magnesium alloy
- Microstructural morphology
- Plastic deformation
- Precipitation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Mechanical Engineering