Journal of Magnesium and Alloys最新文献

{"title":"Achieving strength-ductility synergy and low mechanical anisotropy in a Mg-Zn based alloy at 77 K via Gd addition and asymmetric extrusion","authors":"Chao Zhang,&nbsp;Changjian Yan,&nbsp;Lingyu Zhao,&nbsp;Liu Huang,&nbsp;Yunchang Xin,&nbsp;Xinde Huang,&nbsp;Yang Cao,&nbsp;Qinghang Wang,&nbsp;Zhaoyang Jin,&nbsp;Enhou Han","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102113","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102113","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is a challenge in preparing low-cost Mg-Zn-based alloys with synergistic strength-ductility at cryogenic condition. In the present work, it is found that asymmetric extrusion (ASE) unexpectedly led to texture strengthening in a Mg-Zn-Gd (ZG21) alloy by promoting a distinct preferred orientation (the <span><math><mrow><mspace></mspace><mo>[</mo><mn>10</mn><mover><mrow><mn>1</mn></mrow><mo>‾</mo></mover><mn>2</mn><mo>]</mo></mrow></math></span>/<span><math><mrow><mo>[</mo><mrow><mn>10</mn><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>1</mn></mrow><mo>]</mo></mrow></math></span> texture), rather than the expected weakening; such texture component causes a significantly reduced mechanical anisotropy across three loading directions (ED, TD and 45°) of the extruded plate. Moreover, the addition of a small amount of Gadolinium (Gd) combined with asymmetric extrusion also resulted in substantially enhanced mechanical properties: yield strength (YS) increased by 113 MPa (179% increment), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) rose by 75 MPa (20% increment), while achieving a fracture elongation of 14% at 77 K. The enhanced yield strength (YS) originated mainly from grain boundary and texture strengthening, where the latter critically governed mechanical anisotropy. Systematic characterization via EBSD assisted slip-traces, MWH-MWA method based dislocation density calculations, and TEM observations reveals the evolution of 〈a〉, 〈c〉 and 〈c + a〉 dislocation densities with strains and intuitive observation of interactions among 〈c + a〉, 〈a〉 and 〈c〉 dislocations. The activation of extensive non-basal 〈c + a〉 slip, which exhibits a higher multiplication rate than &lt;a&gt;-type dislocations at higher strains, primarily contributes to the enhanced cryogenic plasticity. This work provides a novel strategy for synergistic cryogenic strength-ductility enhancement in cost-effective Mg-Zn based alloys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102113"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148746270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A perspective on practical rechargeable magnesium batteries","authors":"Shuangshuang Tan,&nbsp;Qinyou An,&nbsp;Hong-Yi Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102087","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102087","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102087"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148745829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Ca content in Mg melt on dealloying kinetics and microstructural evolution of Mg–Ti composites fabricated via liquid metal dealloying","authors":"Jee Eun Jang,&nbsp;Bo Hyun Park,&nbsp;Hyun Jun Youn,&nbsp;In-Chul Choi,&nbsp;Soo-Hyun Joo,&nbsp;Sung Hyuk Park","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102053","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102053","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Liquid metal dealloying (LMD) has emerged as an effective technique for producing Mg–Ti composites with three-dimensional bicontinuous architectures, making them suitable for lightweight structural and biomedical applications. This study systematically examines the effect of Ca addition (1, 5, and 10 wt.%) to the Mg melt on the dealloying kinetics, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties of Mg–Ti composites, using a Ti–Cu precursor. Increasing Ca content markedly accelerates dealloying, reducing the time for complete Cu removal from 40 min (Mg–1Ca) to 20 min (Mg–10Ca). The early-stage dealloying depth and the duration of rapid dissolution increase with Ca content, indicating a sustained dissolution rate. Post-dealloying analysis reveals progressive Ca incorporation into the Mg matrix, with retained contents of 0.4 wt.% (Mg–1Ca), 1.3 wt.% (Mg–5Ca), and 3.5 wt.% (Mg–10Ca). When Ca exceeds its solubility limit, a fine Mg₂Ca intermetallic phase forms, primarily as a eutectic phase. Ca also refines the Ti matrix, reducing its average width from 2.2 µm (Mg–1Ca) to 1.9 µm (Mg–10Ca). Morphologically, low Ca levels promote fragmentation of the Ti matrix, while higher Ca facilitates partial reconnection of the matrix. These compositional and structural changes enhance mechanical performance. The Vickers hardness increases from 109 Hv (Mg–1Ca) to 117 Hv (Mg–5Ca) and 152 Hv (Mg–10Ca). Collectively, the findings confirm that Ca alloying in the Mg melt enhances both processing efficiency and composite performance by accelerating dealloying and controlling microstructural characteristics, thereby providing a versatile route for optimizing bicontinuous Mg–Ti composites fabricated via LMD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102053"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147586802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Realizing enhanced superplasticity in an AZ91 Mg alloy featuring layered heterogeneous microstructure and texture","authors":"Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain,&nbsp;Vivek Pancholi,&nbsp;S.V.S. Narayan Murty","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Commercial as-cast AZ91 Mg alloy exhibiting a dendritic microstructure with an average grain size exceeding 300 µm was subjected to multipass friction stir processing (FSP). FSP generated a heterogeneous microstructure characterized by layered variations in texture and grain size, which were demarcated as the Top (close to the shoulder), Middle, and Bottom (pin-tip) layers. The processed material predominantly exhibited non-basal texture components, with an average grain size ranging from approximately 2 µm to 20 µm across the layers. To elucidate the influence of this microstructural heterogeneity on superplastic deformation, tensile specimens with gauge length aligned along the processing direction were tested at strain rates ranging from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and temperatures between 473 and 623 K. A 10-fold increase in elongation was achieved at 573 K and a strain rate of 4 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. The microstructural evolution under these optimum conditions was examined using interrupted tensile tests at various true strain levels. The results revealed that distinct deformation mechanisms dominate within different layers, governed by the local texture and grain size. The final microstructure at fracture exhibited a homogenized grain size distribution and significantly weakened texture intensity. The combined effects of predominantly non-basal texture and grain-size distribution were analyzed using EBSD, enabling a correlation between microstructural evolution and the observed enhanced superplasticity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102065"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147725956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-strength Mg–Gd–Zn–Zr alloy with intragranular nano-precipitates mediated by hot-wire arc directed energy deposition","authors":"Jiayuan Cui,&nbsp;Qifei Han,&nbsp;Xinglong Di,&nbsp;Yuanxuan Zheng,&nbsp;Yueling Guo,&nbsp;Rui Fu,&nbsp;Hanwen Xu,&nbsp;Wentao Xie,&nbsp;En-Hou Han,&nbsp;Changmeng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To optimize the microstructure and the mechanical property, this work proposes a hot-wire arc directed energy deposition (HWA-DED) strategy for Mg–15Gd–1Zn–0.4Zr alloy (wt.%) by coordinating wire preheating with arc melting to reduce effective arc heat input. Compared with conventional wire-arc DED, HWA-DED yields refined grains (average size reduced from 9.0 ± 0.3 µm to 7.1 ± 0.2 µm), a higher fraction of high-angle grain boundaries, weaker texture, and a more uniform precipitation architecture. Three-dimensional X-ray microtomography and TEM reveal that HWA-DED produces finer and denser (Mg,Zn)₃Gd precipitates with increased volume fraction (3.82% vs. 2.73%), along with lamellar LPSO structures and nanoscale zones that elevate dislocation density. Consequently, the as-deposited HWA-DED components exhibit higher hardness (113 HV vs. 86 HV) and significantly improved tensile strength while maintaining comparable ductility. For HWA-DED, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation are 300 ± 5 MPa, 210 ± 4 MPa, and 7.0 ± 0.5% in the horizontal direction (H), and 302 ± 6 MPa, 214 ± 6 MPa, and 7.3 ± 0.4% in the vertical direction (V), respectively. For conventional WA-DED, these values are 260 ± 4 MPa, 192 ± 4 MPa, and 7.2 ± 0.1% (H), and 262 ± 6 MPa, 196 ± 6 MPa, and 7.5 ± 0.3% (V), respectively. Furthermore, fractography demonstrates a transition from quasi-cleavage in WA-DED to transgranular ductile tearing with deeper dimples in HWA-DED, which aligns well with the redistributed precipitates and the suppression of boundary-controlled damage. Ultimately, without requiring any post-process heat treatment, the HWA-DED strategy achieves a superior strength-ductility synergy for Mg–Gd–Zn–Zr alloys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102133"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148746244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying Fe-bearing inclusions in electrolytic magnesium and deep purification via Ti-Si trapping","authors":"Bingbing Gao,&nbsp;Bo Yang,&nbsp;Rui Zheng,&nbsp;Boyu Liu,&nbsp;An Wang,&nbsp;Jiuzhang Li,&nbsp;Hangwei Cui,&nbsp;Zhiwei Shan","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102109","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102109","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electrolytic primary magnesium generally contains elevated Fe impurities, which severely degrade corrosion resistance, thus limiting downstream use. Although vacuum sublimation, in principle, should separate Fe from magnesium because Fe is far less volatile, the purified condensate frequently remains Fe-rich. Here we identify that Fe resides mainly in micrometer-scale inclusions (elemental Fe and Fe-bearing intermetallic particles). Through analysis of the drag force exerted by magnesium vapor on these inclusions, we determine that they can be entrained in the vapor stream, thus bypassing separation based solely on volatility difference. To intercept these particles, we implement an in-line filtration positioned in an appropriate thermal zone along the vapor route, and select Ti mesh packed with Si particles as the interception medium based on thermal stability, affinity for impurity species, and cost. In controlled comparisons using industrial electrolytic magnesium (258 ppm Fe), sublimation alone lowers Fe to 76 ppm, Ti-mesh filtration lowers it to 28 ppm, and Ti-Si integrated trapping to 4 ppm, meeting the Mg9999 specification without detectable Ti or Si contamination. These results establish particulate entrainment as a principal barrier to deep purification by sublimation and provide a practical framework for upgrading electrolytic magnesium via targeted particle interception and rational trap design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102109"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148746243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deep learning-driven microstructure characterization and Vickers-hardness prediction of Mg-Gd alloys","authors":"Lu Wang,&nbsp;Hongcan Chen,&nbsp;Bing Wang,&nbsp;Yanlin Guo,&nbsp;Qian Li,&nbsp;Qun Luo,&nbsp;Yuexing Han","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In high-strength Mg-rare earth (RE) alloys, solution treatment and aging processes have pronounced effects on microstructure and properties, yet traditional experimental and physical approaches still struggle to establish a quantitative mapping among processing parameters, microstructural features, and property response. Using high-strength Mg-Gd alloys as a case study, we establish a quantitative “process (solid-solution and aging)-microstructure-property” framework based on image recognition and deep learning. Specifically, the mechanical property of solid-solution Mg-Gd alloys depends on Gd content, grain boundary, and the presence of second-phase, while the mechanical property of aged alloys depends similarly on Gd content, aging parameters and the presence of precipitates. To establish the aforementioned mapping, we propose a two-stage multimodal fusion framework that integrates elemental composition and process parameters with image-derived microstructural features to predict hardness. In particular, deep learning is used to extract features from the alloy images at different states, including grain size, second-phase, and precipitate. These features are combined with composition and processing parameters to construct a solid-solution dataset and an aging dataset. The former is used to predict solid-solution hardness, whereas the latter is used to predict the hardness increment induced by aging. The models achieve <span><math><msup><mi>R</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></math></span> values of 0.90 and 0.89, respectively. Validated against manual analysis, the two-stage framework provides an automated approach for predicting the final room-temperature hardness of Mg-Gd alloys, thereby reducing manual effort. The proposed framework also provides a new insight for establishing a quantitative and physically interpretable linkage between microstructure and macroscopic property. <span><span>https://github.com/han-yuexing/MCVHPA</span><svg><path></path></svg></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102106"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148745798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thermodynamically stable Mg2XH6 (X = Al, Si) double perovskite hydrides for high-capacity hydrogen storage: A DFT and AIMD study","authors":"Abdelghafour El Mekkaouy,&nbsp;Abdellah Hammad,&nbsp;Asif Nawaz Khan,&nbsp;Najat Gaidi,&nbsp;Tesfaye Abebe Geleta,&nbsp;Younes Mekki,&nbsp;Muhammad Usman,&nbsp;Rodouan Touti","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102110","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102110","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The escalating worldwide demand for decarbonized energy systems has led to hydrogen being established as a leading candidate owing to its high specific energy and environmentally benign combustion profile. Among the advanced materials for solid-state hydrogen storage, double perovskite hydrides of Mg₂XH₆ (X = Al/Si) are a promising class of lightweight compounds. Using density functional theory, this study presents a comprehensive computational analysis of the structural, elastic, mechanical, electronic, optical, thermodynamic, and vibrational properties. Moreover, their thermal stability, finite-temperature dynamics via molecular dynamics simulations, and hydrogen-storage performance were evaluated. Tolerance factor calculations revealed that these hydrides adopt stable cubic perovskite configurations, with their negative formation enthalpies providing additional evidence of thermodynamic stability. All hydrides satisfy Born’s mechanical stability criteria and exhibit high stiffness, superior mechanical strength, enhanced hardness, shear resistance, and ductile mechanical characteristics. Electronic band structure calculations demonstrate that both Mg₂AlH₆ and Mg₂SiH₆ exhibit metallic behavior using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) based on the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) exchange–correlation functional. Optical analysis revealed a strong dielectric response, pronounced light–matter interaction, and high optical conductivity, along with superior absorption and excellent photonic performance. Phonon dispersion analysis confirmed the dynamic stability of these compounds. Their thermodynamic parameters and high melting points highlight their overall stability and attractive properties. Furthermore, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations provide compelling evidence of the robust thermal stability of these compounds under realistic conditions. Beyond these attributes, assessments of hydrogen storage capacity exhibit impressive gravimetric contents of 7.41 wt% for Mg₂AlH₆ and 7.31 wt% for Mg₂SiH₆ values that exceed the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2025 target of 5.5 wt%. These results highlight the strong potential of these compounds as high-capacity hydrogen-storage materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102110"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148745826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In situ fabricated Zn-ZnO@HA coating on magnesium alloy with robust adhesion, superior anticorrosion, and osteogenic activity","authors":"Chao Zhang,&nbsp;Jiaying Wang,&nbsp;Xuhui Liu,&nbsp;Hongshuai Cao,&nbsp;Huijuan Wang,&nbsp;Kaiwei Tang,&nbsp;Feng Peng,&nbsp;Yilong Dai,&nbsp;Liwei Lu,&nbsp;Fugang Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydroxyapatite (HA) is widely used in bone implants due to its inherent biocompatibility, however, conventional single-layer HA coating still faces limitations when applied to biodegradable magnesium alloys. In this study, a Zn-ZnO@HA nanocomposite coating was fabricated on AZ31B magnesium alloy through <em>in situ</em> ZnO doping assisted by ion plating combined with hydrothermal treatment. The results demonstrated that <em>in situ</em> generated ZnO on the ion-plated Zn layer effectively promoted HA nucleation and growth, resulting in a stable and well-adhered nanostructured coating. The composite coating exhibited superior mechanical performance, with a bonding strength (12.88 N) and plasticity index (0.76), significantly higher than those of the single-layer HA. Electrochemical analyses revealed that the Zn-ZnO@HA coating increased the polarization resistance by approximately seven orders of magnitude, while decreasing the corrosion rate and carrier concentration by approximately two and three orders of magnitude, respectively. Compared with the bare AZ31B substrate, and exhibited long-term degradation stability in simulated body fluid (SBF), attributed to the synergistic effects of barrier protection, cathodic protection, and self-healing behavior of the Zn/ZnO/HA interface. Moreover, owing to the broad-spectrum antibacterial properties of Zn and ZnO, the composite coating effectively inhibits bacterial adhesion and proliferation, thereby offering potential protection for maintaining an aseptic implant interface. <em>In vitro</em> studies further confirm that the Zn-ZnO@HA coating creates a favorable microenvironment for osteogenic differentiation, significantly enhancing early alkaline phosphatase activity and promoting late-stage mineralized nodule formation. Overall, the Zn-ZnO@HA nanocomposite coating integrates outstanding corrosion resistance with high bioactivity, offering an effective strategy for surface functionalization of biodegradable magnesium alloy bone implants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102129"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148745825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanistic understanding of Mg17Al12 mediated microstructural refinement and strengthening in Mg-Al Alloys – a comprehensive review","authors":"Muhammad Zubair,&nbsp;Umer Masood Chaudry,&nbsp;Khushnuda Nur,&nbsp;Hafiz Muhammad Rehan Tariq,&nbsp;Abdul Malik,&nbsp;Muhammad Asif Rafiq,&nbsp;Mansoor Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jma.2026.102139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review presents an in-depth mechanistic analysis of the microstructural refinement and strengthening pathways in Mg-Al alloys, with a focus on the influence of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates. The Hall-Petch relationship, with a slope exceeding 150 MPa·µm^1/2 in most AZ-series Mg alloys, underscores the pivotal role of grain size in dictating yield strength. This high sensitivity to grain size is particularly affected by Al content and crystallographic texture of Mg alloys. This necessitates sophisticated thermomechanical treatments such as severe plastic deformation, twin-induced recrystallization, and rapid solidification for effective grain refinement. The Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase, characterized by its discontinuous or interconnected morphology in as-cast alloys (e.g., AZ80, AZ91), exerts a strong influence on ductility and fracture resistance. Controlled heat treatments enable modulation of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ morphology, volume fraction, and crystallographic orientation, transitioning from coarse, brittle eutectics to fine, dispersed precipitates with semi-coherent interfaces. These changes fundamentally alter stress accommodation and interaction with dislocations, impacting both precipitation hardening and grain boundary strengthening. However, limited age hardening arises from sluggish solute diffusion and modest precipitation strengthening in the Mg matrix, imposing constraints on high-temperature performance. The review critically evaluates orientation relationships between Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and the α-Mg matrix, detailing their effect on interfacial energies, nucleation sites, and deformation mechanisms. Recent advances in microalloying, process design, and hierarchical microstructure control are discussed to optimize the strength-ductility synergy for automotive applications. Proposed strategies integrate advanced grain refinement, targeted precipitate engineering, and alignment of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates to achieve application-specific mechanical performance in Mg-Al alloys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnesium and Alloys","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 102139"},"PeriodicalIF":15.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148745830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}