Effects of Solution Aging on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Laser Deposition Repairing ZM6 Alloy

doi:10.11900/0412.1961.2023.00330

Acta Metall Sin

2025, Vol. 61

Issue (6): 875-886 DOI: 10.11900/0412.1961.2023.00330

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Effects of Solution Aging on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Laser Deposition Repairing ZM6 Alloy

QIN Lanyun¹, ZHANG Jian¹, YI Junzhen²^,³(

), CUI Yanfeng⁴, YANG Guang¹(

), WANG Chao³

1 School of Mechatronics Engineering, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang 110136, China
2 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang 110136, China
3 Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense of Aeronautical Digital Manufacturing Process, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang 110136, China
4 AECC Harbin Dongan Engine Co. Ltd., Harbin 150066, China

Cite this article:

QIN Lanyun, ZHANG Jian, YI Junzhen, CUI Yanfeng, YANG Guang, WANG Chao. Effects of Solution Aging on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Laser Deposition Repairing ZM6 Alloy. Acta Metall Sin, 2025, 61(6): 875-886.

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Abstract

ZM6 (Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr) alloy is a typical casting magnesium alloy with low density, high specific strength and stiffness, good vibration damping performance, good machinability, and good heat resistance. It is widely used in aerospace and aviation fields. However, metallurgical or machining defects are inevitable while processing due to the complicated shapes and large scales of aviation components. Failure to repair them may lead to significant economic loss. Laser deposition repair can be applied to aerospace components because of the advantages of small heat input and high molding accuracy. This work focuses on repairing the aerospace ZM6 magnesium alloy components using laser deposition, addressing the metallurgical defects and service damage to the components. The changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the repaired ZM6 samples before and after solution aging (T6: 520 ^oC, 8 h + 220 ^oC, 14 h) treatment were compared. The results show that the microstructure of the repaired zone of the as-deposited sample consists of fine α-Mg grains. The secondary phases distributed mainly at grain boundaries showed a continuous network, and a small number of the dot- and rod-shaped secondary phases were distributed inside Mg grains. The average hardness of the repaired zone is (60 ± 2) HV_0.1, and the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation were 137.47 MPa, 111.61 MPa, and 5.57%, respectively. The fracture occurred in the base metal, and the tensile fracture mode comprised transgranular and intergranular brittle fractures. After T6 treatment, the microstructure of the repaired zone comprised fine α-Mg grains and abnormally coarse grains, and β′ phase was precipitated inside the grains. The average hardness of the repaired zone increased by 17.5% compared to that of the as-deposited samples, and the abnormally coarse and fine grains led to various hardness fluctuations. The tensile strength and yield strength of the T6-treated samples increased by 49.8% and 75.6%, respectively, but the elongation decreased. The fracture location of the tensile sample was in the repaired zone because of the formation of abnormally coarse grains.

Key words: laser deposition repairing ZM6 alloy solution aging abnormally coarse grain mechanical property

Received: 10 August 2023

ZTFLH:

TG146.2

Fund: National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFE0122600);China Aero Engine Group Industry University Research Cooperation Project(HFZL2021CXY025-1);Liaoning Province Department of Education Fund(JYT2020061);Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense of Aeronautical Digital Manufacturing Process of Shenyang Aerospace University(SHSYS202001)

Corresponding Authors: YI Junzhen, associate professor, Tel: 18004024448, E-mail: jzyi@sau.edu.cn;
YANG Guang, professor, Tel: 18040037100, E-mail: yangguang@sau.edu.cn

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	QIN Lanyun
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	WANG Chao

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https://www.ams.org.cn/EN/10.11900/0412.1961.2023.00330 OR https://www.ams.org.cn/EN/Y2025/V61/I6/875

Fig.1 Schematic of the ZM6 alloy plate with a trapezoidal groove (unit: mm)

Fig.2 Schematic of laser deposition manufacturing system

Fig.3 Schematics of the laser deposition repairing (LDR) process (a), sampling location (b), and dimension (c) for tensile sample (unit: mm)

Fig.4 OM image (a), grain diameter distribution (b), SEM image (c), and EDS analyses (d) of ZM6 alloy substrate (D_ave—average of grain diameter)

Fig.5 OM image of LDR sample (a), low (b) and high (c) magnified SEM images around the fusion line, grain diameter distribution in RZ (d), and EDS analyses (e) (RZ—repaired zone, HAZ—heat-affected zone, BM—base material)

Fig.6 OM image around the fusion line of the LDR-T6 sample (ACG—abnormally coarse grain) (a), grain diameter distribution in RZ (b), SEM image in RZ (Insets is the high magnified SEM image) (c), and EDS analyses (d)

Fig.7 XRD spectra of the RZ in LDR and LDR-T6 samples

Fig.8 Microhardness distributions of different zones in LDR and LDR-T6 samples

Fig.9 Engineering stress-strain curves (a) and tensile properties (b) of BM, LDR, and LDR-T6 samples at room temperature (Insets in Fig.8a show the fracture positions; FZ—fusion zone; UTS—ultimate tensile strength, YS—yield strength, EL—elongation)

Fig.10 Low (a, c) and high (b, d-f) magnified SEM images showing facture surfaces of LDR (a, b) and LDR-T6 (c-f) samples (GB—grain boundary)

Fig.11 Cross-sectional OM images showing fractures of LDR (a) and LDR-T6 (b) samples

Fig.12 Inverse pole figures (IPFs) of RZ in LDR (a) and LDR-T6 (b) samples and region around fusion line of LDR-T6 sample (c), kernel average misorientation (KAM) map of RZ (d), and SEM image of LDR sample (e)

Fig.13 Grain boundary distribution maps of RZ in LDR (a) and LDR-T6 (b) samples and the corresponding misorientation statistical diagram (c)

Fig.14 Schematics of fracture mechanisms of the LDR (a) and LDR-T6 (b) samples

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