[Technology] Quality Control of Heat Treatment of Magnesium Alloys

First, the protective atmosphere for heat treatment. Magnesium alloys have a high ignition temperature in air, typically above 400°C. However, the risk of combustion also depends on the size and shape of the material. Therefore, when the solution treatment temperature exceeds 400°C, it is essential to use a protective atmosphere to prevent oxidation and potential fires on the surface of the casting. Common protective gases include nitrogen, argon, and sometimes sulfur dioxide or carbon dioxide. Noble gases like helium are also used, but due to their high cost, they are not widely adopted in industrial settings. Instead, most facilities rely on more economical options such as pyrolytic gases. Second, quality control during heat treatment is critical. The furnace used for solid solution and aging treatments must provide a controlled environment with circulating air flow. Electric heating is commonly employed. During the solution treatment process, the furnace is filled with protective gas (such as CO₂, SO₂, or SF₆), so it must be sealed and equipped with an inlet system for the gas. The furnace should have enough thermocouples to ensure accurate and continuous temperature monitoring. Additionally, the heat source must be properly shielded to avoid localized overheating caused by radiation. The temperature of the casting during heat treatment must be carefully managed. For Mg-Al-Zn alloys like ZM5 and ZM10, the solution treatment should start near 260°C and then gradually increase to the required temperature to avoid melting eutectic compounds, which can lead to porosity. The time needed to raise the temperature from 260°C varies depending on the load, chemical composition, size, weight, and cross-sectional thickness of the casting. A typical duration is around 2 hours. Aging treatment can be conducted at the appropriate processing temperature. Temperature control during heat treatment is crucial—uniform and accurate temperatures are required, along with a well-sealed furnace. The maximum allowable deviation for solution temperature is ±5°C. Magnesium alloy castings tend to lose rigidity at solution heat treatment temperatures, making them prone to warping due to internal stress release, or deformation from their own weight. Warpage is influenced by the size, shape, and thickness of the casting. To minimize distortion, support methods or proper placement on the heat treatment rack are recommended. In some cases, special fixtures may be necessary to maintain the correct shape. While these precautions help reduce thermal distortion, some castings may still require post-solution correction before aging. Quenching after solution treatment is typically done in still air. Artificial air flow is used only for thick or dense castings. Some ZM6 alloy castings may benefit from quenching in water at 60–95°C to improve mechanical properties. Common heat treatment defects and their solutions are listed in Table 13-8. Post-weld heat treatment aims to relieve stress and restore mechanical properties in the weld zone. Most magnesium alloy castings can be repaired in any heat treatment condition, but ZM5 and ZM10 alloys should undergo solution treatment before welding to prevent abnormal grain growth. Stress relief at 260°C for one hour is recommended for Mg-Al alloys that don’t require solution treatment after welding to avoid stress corrosion and cracking. Welding electrodes must match the casting’s alloy composition. Safety is paramount during magnesium alloy heat treatment. Magnesium ignites easily once molten, releasing large amounts of heat and potentially causing fires. Fine particles and dust pose a greater fire risk than chips. Before furnace installation, all castings must be cleaned of debris, oil, and moisture. Surface preparation, such as sandblasting or chromate treatment, is often required. The furnace itself must be kept clean and dry. Only one type of alloy should be processed at a time, and the heating temperature must strictly follow recommended specifications. Since the solution temperature is close to the solidus point, any area exceeding this temperature could cause ignition. Maintaining the correct protective atmosphere is essential. When using sulfur dioxide, its concentration should not exceed 1.0% to avoid damaging the resistance wire. Following strict safety procedures outlined in Table 13-9 helps prevent fires. If a fire occurs, the furnace should be immediately powered off, and if possible, other furnaces should also be de-energized. If the fire is small, the furnace door can be opened cautiously, and the casting removed quickly. Dry sand or flux can be used to smother the fire. In severe cases, the furnace should be sealed to cut off oxygen supply, and the lid can only be opened once the temperature drops below 250–300°C. Never use water to extinguish magnesium fires, as it can cause explosions. Foam, dry powder, or CO₂ extinguishers are ineffective and may worsen the situation. Magnesium fires can only be extinguished by cutting off oxygen or using non-reactive materials like graphite powder, dry sand, or unoxidized cast iron. Firefighters should wear protective goggles to avoid eye damage from intense white light. Finally, evaluating the effectiveness of heat treatment involves assessing hardness, tensile properties, and microstructure. Brinell hardness tests are commonly used, though the results are mainly for reference. Tensile testing provides a more accurate assessment, and microstructural analysis helps evaluate residual compounds, precipitates, grain size, and porosity. Special samples are usually prepared for testing.

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Description

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