No abstract

Effect of solid solution treatment (T4) on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of an as-forged Mg-6.7%Zn-1.3%Y-0.6%Zr (in wt.%) alloy has been investigated using slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) testing in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The results demonstrated that the SCC susceptibility index (ISCC) of as-forged samples was 0.95 and its elongation-to-failure (εf) was only 1.1%. After T4 treatment, the SCC resistance was remarkably improved. The ISCC and εf values of T4 samples were 0.86 and 3.4%, respectively. Fractography and surface observation indicated that the stress corrosion cracking mode for as-forged samples was dominated by transgranular and partially intergranular morphology, whereas the cracking mode for T4 samples was transgranular. In both cases, the main cracking mechanism was associated with hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Through alleviating the corrosion attack of Mg matrix, the influence of HE on the SCC resistance of T4 samples can be greatly suppressed.

Through investigating and comparing the fatigue behavior of an as-forged Mg-6.7Zn-1.3Y-0.6Zr (wt.%) alloy before and after solid solution treatment (T4) in laboratory air, the effect of T4 treatment on fatigue crack initiation was disclosed. S-N curves illustrated that the fatigue strength of as-forged samples was 110 MPa, whereas the fatigue strength of T4 samples was only 80 MPa. Observations to fracture surfaces demonstrated that for as-forged samples, fatigue crack initiation sites were covered with a layer of oxide film. However, due to the coarse grain structure and the dissolution of MgZn2 precipitates, the activation and accumulation of {10–12} twins in T4 samples were much easier, resulting in the preferential fatigue crack initiation at cracked twin boundaries (TBs). Surface characterization demonstrated that TB cracking was mainly ascribed to the incompatible plastic deformation in the twinned area and nearby α-Mg matrix.