Solidification Analysis of Grain Refined AZ91D Magnesium Alloy via Neutron Diffraction

Neutron diffraction (ND) remains an important tool for in situ analysis of material behavior during various stages of its lifespan, including fabrication, service, damage accumulation and failure. ND was also developed to study solidification of alloys, where minor phases at low solid fractions can be successfully detected, thus providing valuable information difficult to obtain using traditional characterization methods. In the present work, in situ ND solidification experiments were carried out with AZ91D Mg alloy. To this alloy, novel grain refiners were added and the phase evolution prior to the alloy’s liquidus temperature, as well throughout the freezing range was recorded. The role of the refining elements and their interaction with the solidifying alloy was investigated.