Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Alloys and Composites

Dear Colleagues,

The progress that is being made in the aerospace and automotive industry is closely related to the development of construction materials characterized by higher strength, lower density, and better creep resistance and corrosion resistance compared to the materials used so far. Attractive materials for the transportation industry are undoubtedly magnesium alloys and composites based on magnesium alloys, which are characterized by promising mechanical properties (specific strength, specific stiffness), high recyclability, and low primary material cost. In the past three decades, such properties of magnesium alloys as creep resistance, ductility, strength, and corrosion resistance have significantly improved. The improvement of properties of magnesium alloys results from the implementation of various alloying elements, in particular, rare-earth metals, the optimization of chemical composition, the improvement of existing and the use of new manufacturing technologies, and the use of advanced research to determine the relationship between the microstructure and the properties of magnesium alloys. Magnesium alloys, as well as composites based on magnesium alloys, still have great potential for improving mechanical and physical properties. An example is age-hardened magnesium alloys, in which the strength level is still lower that that obtained in aluminum alloys. Further improvement of strength properties is possible through a better understanding of the effect of structural factors (shape, orientation, and size and growth of precipitates) on the strengthening. The creep resistance is also a wide field for improvement. Better mechanical properties at elevated temperatures can be achieved by formation of thermally stable phases or a continuous intermetallic phases skeleton. Especially, the development of the technology for the production of magnesium composites offers great opportunities to improve creep resistance, and it should be noted that literature data is still insufficient in this field. In magnesium alloys, the production of parts by high pressure die casting technology is still the predominant technology. The mechanical properties of magnesium castings are lower compared to alloys produced by plastic forming techniques. New processing techniques allow one to obtain fine grain size and a combination of excellent strength and ductility. An important issue is also the reduction of production costs of magnesium alloys. Thus, in recent years, studies of magnesium alloys that do not contain expensive rare earth metals have been of great importance, despite the excellent strength properties of alloys with rare earth metals.

This Special Issue is dedicated to presenting the current status of knowledge on the mechanical properties of magnesium alloys and their composites, and the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties of alloys and composites produced in different technologies.

Prof. Andrzej Kiełbus
Prof. Tomasz Rzychoń
Guest Editors

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