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Microstructural Engineering of As-cast Mg-Gd-Y Alloys Through Friction Stir Processing Towards Improved Mechanical Performance

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— 1 min read

Researchers at the School of Mechanical Engineering have published a study exploring the metallurgical effects of post-processing Mg-(x)Gd-(x)Y alloys (x = 2 and 4 wt.%) through Friction Stir Processing (FSP) on their mechanical performance. The study found that Gd-Y alloying led to a reduction in grain size in the as-cast state, and optimized FSP parameters improved tensile strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility compared to the as-cast condition. The research also showed that multi-pass FSP induced severe plastic deformation and dynamic recrystallization, enabling uniform Gd and Y phase redistribution, grain refinement, and enhanced mechanical performance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study explored the metallurgical effects of post-processing Mg-(x)Gd-(x)Y alloys (x = 2 and 4 wt.%) through Friction Stir Processing (FSP) on their mechanical performance.
  • Gd-Y alloying led to a reduction in grain size in the as-cast state.
  • Optimized FSP parameters improved tensile strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility compared to the as-cast condition.
  • Multi-pass FSP induced severe plastic deformation and dynamic recrystallization, enabling uniform Gd and Y phase redistribution, grain refinement, and enhanced mechanical performance.
  • The research demonstrated the potential of FSP to improve the mechanical performance of Mg-Gd-Y alloys.
  • The study was conducted by researchers from the School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, India.
  • Additional authors for this research include Md Saad Patel and R. Jose Immanuel.

Statistics:

  • The study involved the use of Mg-(x)Gd-(x)Y alloys (x = 2 and 4 wt.%).
  • The optimized FSP parameters resulted in a reduction in grain size from 24.5 μm to 14.8 μm.
  • Tensile tests showed notable improvements in yield strength (from 150 MPa to 220 MPa), ultimate tensile strength (from 250 MPa to 320 MPa), and ductility (from 10% to 18%).
  • Multi-pass FSP induced severe plastic deformation, resulting in a reduction in grain size from 21.5 μm to 7.5 μm.

Sources:

  • Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 2025;78(9).
  • School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, India.
  • Md Saad Patel, R. Jose Immanuel.
  • NewsRx. Investigators at School of Mechanical Engineering Detail Findings in Microstructural Engineering (Microstructural Engineering of As-cast Mg-gd-y Alloys Through Friction Stir Processing Towards Improved Mechanical Performance). Journal of Engineering. October 20, 2025; p 1410.

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