US Patent Application 17877024. METHODS OF FORMING MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOYS HAVING A BIMODAL MICROSTRUCTURE AND MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOY COMPONENTS MADE THEREFROM simplified abstract
METHODS OF FORMING MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOYS HAVING A BIMODAL MICROSTRUCTURE AND MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOY COMPONENTS MADE THEREFROM
Organization Name
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Inventor(s)
Michael J. Lauckner of Oakland Township MI (US)
METHODS OF FORMING MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOYS HAVING A BIMODAL MICROSTRUCTURE AND MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOY COMPONENTS MADE THEREFROM - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17877024 titled 'METHODS OF FORMING MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOYS HAVING A BIMODAL MICROSTRUCTURE AND MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOY COMPONENTS MADE THEREFROM
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes methods of making magnesium-based alloy components.
- The methods involve subjecting a preform of a magnesium-based alloy to a high temperature and a deformation process.
- This process creates a bimodal microstructure in the magnesium-based alloy component, with un-recrystallized regions distributed in a matrix of dynamically recrystallized grains.
- The magnesium-based alloy used in the methods contains zinc (Zn) at a specific weight percentage, zirconium (Zr) at a specific weight percentage, and total impurities at a specific weight percentage.
- The remaining balance of the alloy is made up of magnesium (Mg).
- The patent also contemplates the use of these methods to produce hot-formed magnesium-based alloy components, specifically for automotive applications.
Original Abstract Submitted
Methods of making magnesium-based alloy components are provided. A preform of a magnesium-based alloy having a plurality of zirconium-rich domains distributed in a magnesium-alloy matrix is subjected to a temperature of ≥ about 360° C. and a deformation process that facilitates selective dynamic recrystallization to create a bimodal microstructure in the magnesium-based alloy component having a plurality of un-recrystallized regions distributed in a matrix comprising dynamically recrystallized grains. The magnesium-based alloy includes zinc (Zn) at ≥ about 2 to ≤ about 4 wt. % of the magnesium-based alloy, zirconium (Zr) at ≥ about 0.62 wt. % to ≤ about 1 wt. % of the magnesium-based alloy, total impurities at ≤ about 0.1 wt. % of the magnesium-based alloy, and a balance of magnesium (Mg). Hot-formed magnesium-based alloy components formed from such methods are also contemplated, including automotive components.
