Ultra-high specific strength of Mg–Li alloy via rotary swaging

Ultralight Mg–Li alloys demonstrate significant potential for critical structural applications, yet their widespread adoption has been constrained by insufficient specific strength. Through multi-pass rotary swaging processing, we significantly enhance the mechanical properties of Mg–4Li alloy, achi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Silong Li, Xin Chen, Huabo Li, Chuming Liu, Zuming Liu, Yingchun Wan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S223878542501049X
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Summary:Ultralight Mg–Li alloys demonstrate significant potential for critical structural applications, yet their widespread adoption has been constrained by insufficient specific strength. Through multi-pass rotary swaging processing, we significantly enhance the mechanical properties of Mg–4Li alloy, achieving an exceptional specific strength of 214 kN•m/kg—far surpassing those of conventional binary Mg–Li alloys—alongside a yield strength of 277 MPa and a tensile strength of 343 MPa. This remarkable improvement stems from the formation of a refined nanograin structure. Comprehensive microstructural analysis identifies two primary refinement mechanisms: (1) dislocation-mediated grain subdivision and (2) twin-twin intersection-induced grain refinement, which collectively contribute to the development of nanocrystalline domains. The achieved grain refinement efficiency demonstrates rotary swaging's unique capability in processing hard-to-refine Mg alloys, overcoming the intrinsic limitations of conventional thermo-mechanical methods. This breakthrough suggests new possibilities for developing ultrahigh-strength Mg–Li systems.
ISSN:2238-7854