A precipitation-tailoring paradigm for nucleation control: breaking the efficiency ceiling of Mg-Zr grain refiner
Abstract
A breakthrough improvement in grain refinement efficacy of Mg-Zr refiner of greater than 70% relative to commercial counterparts is achieved by regulating nano-scale Zr precipitation. Re-melting generates Zr-saturated halos, while subsequent rolling induces lattice defects that promote Zr nucleation during heating. This yields dual-scale Zr particles: submicron precipitates (100–500 nm) within halos and nano-particles (20–40 nm) in α-Mg grains. The treated refiner simultaneously provides abundant heterogeneous nucleants and enhanced constitutional supercooling, establishing it as the most effective Mg-Zr grain refiner reported to date. This study provides a novel paradigm for designing high-efficiency refiners through nano-scale precipitation regulation.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Magnesium Alloys: Properties and Applications
Magnesium Oxide Properties and Applications
Magnesium in Health and Disease
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Materials Research Letters
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 377–385
- Publication date
- 2 March 2026
- Language
- EN