Combination of Cooling Curve and Micro-Chemical Phase Analysis of Rapidly Quenched Magnesium AM60B Alloy

Macro test samples of magnesium alloy AM60B were melted and quenched at maximum instantaneous cooling rates ranging from -5°C/s to -500°C/s and the resultant cooling curves were analyzed. Characteristic reactions on these curves corresponding to formation of individual phases were identified with the aid of literature data as well as metallographic and micro-chemical analysis. The results indicate that these phases, their size and location in the micro structure, their chemistry and their relative proportions all change in response to the increase in the cooling rate. These rapid cooling rates are typical of real industrial solidification processes such as die casting. These findings can be used to improve future computer models of casting solidification processes for magnesium and for other alloys.