Preparation Method for Magnesium Alloys

Surface Abrasive/Size Load Rpm Time

Lb/N Direction (min)

CarbiMet 320 (P400) Grit SiC 5/22 250 Until Plane

Paper (psa) Water Cooled Comp.

TexMet Pad 9-µm MetaDi Oil-Based 5/22 150 6

Diamond Slurry Contra

TexMet Pad 3-µm MetaDi Oil-Based 5/22 120 5

Diamond Slurry Contra

TexMet Pad 1-µm MetaDi Oil-Based 5/22 120 4

Diamond Slurry Contra

ChemoMet Pad 0.05-µm MasterPolish or 3/13 120 1.5 - 3

MasterPrep Alumina Contra

Platen and holder rotate in same direction in comp., and opposite directions in contra
 Name Composition Comments
Glycol 1 mL HNO3 General-purpose etch. Immerse for 3-5
24 mL Water sec; rinse and dry.
75 mL Ethylene Glycol
Acetic Glycol 20 mL Acetic Acid General-purpose etch. Immerse for 1-3
1 mL HNO3 sec for cast alloys and up to 10 sec for
60 mL Ethylene Glycol solution annealed alloys
20 mL Water
Acetic Picral 5 mL Acetic Acid Immerse until a brown film forms on the
6 g Picric Acid surface; rinse and dry. May reveal grain
10 mL Water boundaries, twins and residual cold work.
100 mL Ethanol
Phospho-Picral 0.7 mL Phosphoric Acid Immerse for 10-20 sec; rinse and dry.
4-6 g Picric Acid Stains matrix; massive Mg17Al12 stays
100 mL Ethanol white.

Hydrofluric Acid 10 mL HF Immerse 1-2 sec; rinse and dry. Darkens

90 mL Water Mg17Al12 phase.
 Surface Interior

Microstructure of sand-cast AZ91D (Mg – 9% Al – 0.25% Mn – 0.7% Zn – 0.0008% Be)

revealed (left) using the glycol etch and viewing with polarized light plus a sensitive tint
filter; and (right) after etching with the acetic-glycol reagent and viewing in bright field
illumination. The magnification bars are 100 and 50 µm, left and right, respectively. Note
the mechanical twins at the surface.
 AM60 AZ91D

As-polished surfaces of AM 60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens prepared using
Masterprep alumina for the final step (magnification bars are 20 and 100 µm long, respectively.
 AM60 AZ91D

As-polished surfaces of AM 60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens prepared using
Masterpolish alumina-silica slurry for the final step (magnification bars are 100 µm long.
 AM60 AZ91D

Mechanical twinning observed in AM60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens prepared
using Masterprep alumina for the final step and etched with acetic-picral (magnification bars
are 10 and 20 µm long, left and right, respectively).
 AM60 AZ91D

Microstructures of AM60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens after etching with the glycol
reagent (magnification bars are 10 µm long).
Microstructure of pressure die cast AZ91D after etching with the glycol reagent and
viewing with polarized light plus a sensitive tint filter. The magnification bar is 10
µm long.
 AM60 AZ91D

Microstructures of AM60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens after

etching with the acetic-glycol reagent (magnification bars are 10 µm long).
 AM60 AZ91D

Microstructures of AM60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens after etching
with the acetic-picral reagent (magnification bars are 10 µm long).
 AM60 AZ91D

Microstructures of AM60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens after etching
with the phospho-picral reagent (magnification bars are 10 µm long).
 AM60 AZ91D

Microstructures of AM60 and AZ91D pressure die cast specimens after etching
with the aqueous 10% HF reagent (magnification bars are 10 µm long). Note that
this etchant darkened the Mg17Al12 intermetallic constituent.