The development of a new grain refiner for magnesium alloys using the edge-to-edge model

A potential new grain refiner, ZnO, for magnesium alloys was identified using the edge-to-edge matching crystallographic model. The effects of various levels of ZnO additions on the grain size of pure magnesium and a Mg–Zn alloy were investigated. Experimental results show that an addition of 3 wt.% ZnO powder to pure magnesium reduces the grain size from 1100 to 410 μm. The grain size of a Mg–Zn alloy can also be decreased from 420 to 310 μm when 1 wt.% ZnO powder is added.