Substitution of Zn for Cu in Mg–Y–Zn alloys designed for fracturing ball

Abstract

The microstructure, mechanical properties and degradation behaviour of Mg₉₅Y₃Zn₂ (MYZ), Mg₉₅Y₃Zn₁Cu₁ (MYZC), and Mg₉₅Y₃Cu₂ (MYC) (at.-%) alloys have been studied. All the alloys mainly contain α-Mg matrix and LPSO phase. By substituting Zn for Cu, the composition of the LPSO phase transformed from Mg–Y–Zn to Mg–Y–Zn–Cu, and then to Mg–Y–Cu. The ultimate compressive strength is 227, 231 and 238 MPa, respectively. The MYC alloy exhibited much higher degradation rate than MYZC and MYZ alloys. The strong galvanic coupling effect between LPSO phase and the matrix, the grain size refinement and the weak protection from the corrosion product layer are responsible for the high degradation rate. It is suggested that the newly developed MYC alloy is promising for fracturing ball application.

KEYWORDS:

• Magnesium alloy
• LPSO phase
• degradation rate
• corrosion mechanism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data presented in our study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available because pertain to research still in development.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 52201108]; Qingnian Project of Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission [grant number KJQN202001106]; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [grant number 2021M700556]; Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing [grant number cstc2021jcyj-bshX0114, [grant number cstc2021ycjh-bgzxm0184]; Chongqing Talent Plan: Leading Talents in Innovation and Entrepreneurship [grant number CQYC201903051]; University Innovation Research Group of Chongqing [grant number CXQT20023]; Cultivation Project of CQUT for Research and Innovation Group [grant number 2023TDZ006].