Ultrafine Grain Refinement and Improved Mechanical Strength of Compositionally Modified AZ 61 Alloy Composite

Abstract

The objective of this book chapter was to examine the changes in microstructure and mechanical properties of a modified AZ-61 composite with minor additions of scandium (0.2wt. %), calcium (0.5wt. %), and manganese (0.5wt. %) prepared using the stir casting method. The solidified ingots undergo thermal treatments, including ice water quenching, and age hardening for 2 hours at temperatures of 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, and 400 °C. The results found that average grain size of an AZ61-Graphene (1wt.%) composite was measured to be 7.92 μm after aging at 100°C, 5.31 μm at 200°C, and 6.86 μm at 400°C. The addition of 1wt. % graphene to the AZ61 composite results in a favourable balance between strength and ductility. The inclusion of graphene in the modified AZ 61 composite results in a significant change in grain size and fine structure, leading to increased strength.