Effect of compression ratio on microstructure evolution of Mg-10%Al-1%Zn-1%Si alloy prepared by SIMA process

A new Mg-10%Al-1%Zn-1%Si alloy with non-dendritic microstructure was prepared by strain induced melt activation (SIMA) process. The effect of compression ratio on the evolution of semisolid microstructure of the experimental alloy was investigated. The results indicate that the average size of alpha-Mg grains decreases and spheroidizing tendency becomes more obvious with the compression ratios increasing from 0 to 40%. In addition, the eutectic Mg2Si phase in the Mg-10%Al-1%Zn-1%Si alloy transforms completely from the initial fishbone shape to globular shape by SIMA process. With the increasing of compression ratio, the morphology and average size of Mg2Si phases do not change obviously. The morphology modification mechanism of Mg2Si phase in Mg-10%Al-1%Zn- 1%Si alloy by SIMA process was also studied.