Magnesium alloy that exhibits superelastic effect and/or shape-memory effect

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a Mg alloy that exhibits a superelastic effect and a shape memory effect, and is excellent in cold workability. The Mg alloy is prepared so as to have a composition in which Sc is contained in a content of more than 13 at % and 30 at % or less, and the balance is Mg and inevitable impurities. In addition, the alloy may contain, in addition to the above-described composition, at least one or more additive elements selected from Li, Al, Zn, Y, Ag, In, Sn and Bi, in a total content of 0.001 at % or more and 9 at % or less in relation to the amount of the whole alloy defined to be 100 at %.

1 . A Mg alloy having a BCC phase, and having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect,
 wherein the alloy comprises Mg as a main component,   the alloy contains Sc in a range of more than 13 at % and 30 at % or less, and   the balance is Mg and inevitable impurities.   
     
     
         2 . The Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect according to  claim 1 , containing in addition to the above-described composition, as an additive element(s), at least one or more selected from the group consisting of Li, Al, Zn, Y, Ag, In, Sn and Bi, in a total content of 0.001 or more and 9 at % or less in relation to the amount of the whole alloy defined to be 100 at %. 
     
     
         3 . The Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect according to  claim 1 , containing in addition to the above-described composition, as an additive element(s), at least one or more selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mn, Zr and Ce,
 in a total content of 0.01 or more and 2.0 at % or less, and the total content of the additive element(s) is 9 at % or less, in relation to the amount of the whole alloy defined to be 100 at %.   
     
     
         4 . A method for producing a Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect, wherein a solution treatment is performed at a temperature of 500° C. or higher such that the alloy comprises Mg as a main component and the alloy contains Sc in a range of more than 13 at % and 30 at % or less, and the balance is Mg and inevitable impurities, and
 the solution is subjected to a cooling treatment at a cooling rate faster than 1000° C./min. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method for producing a Mg alloy according to  claim 4 , wherein the solution treatment is performed such that in addition to the above-described composition, as an additive element(s), at least one or more selected from the group consisting of Li, Al, Zn, Y, Ag, In, Sn and Bi are contained in a total content of 0.001 or more and 9 at % or less in relation to the amount of the whole alloy defined to be 100 at %. 
     
     
         6 . The method for producing a Mg alloy according to  claim 4 , wherein the solution treatment is performed such that in addition to the above-described composition, as an additive element(s), at least one or more selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mn, Zr, and Ce are contained in a total content of 0.01 or more and 2.0 at % or less, and the total content of the additive element(s) is 9 at % or less, in relation to the amount of the whole alloy defined to be 100 at %. 
     
     
         7 . The method for producing a Mg alloy according to  claim 4 , wherein an aging treatment is performed in a temperature range from 100° C. to 400° C. 
     
     
         8 . A Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect produced by the production method according to  claim 4 . 
     
     
         9 . The Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect according to  claim 2 , containing, as an additive element, at least one or more selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mn, Zr and Ce, in a total content of 0.01 or more and 2.0 at % or less, and the total content of the additive element(s) is 9 at % or less, in relation to the amount of the whole alloy defined to be 100 at %. 
     
     
         10 . The method for producing a Mg alloy according to  claim 5 , wherein the solution treatment is performed such that
 as an additive element(s), at least one or more selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mn, Zr, and Ce are contained, in a total content of 0.01 or more and 2.0 at % or less, and the total content of the additive element(s) is 9 at % or less, in relation to the amount of the whole alloy defined to be 100 at %.   
     
     
         11 . The method for producing a Mg alloy according to  claim 5 , wherein an aging treatment is performed in a temperature range from 100° C. to 400° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method for producing a Mg alloy according to  claim 6 , wherein an aging treatment is performed in a temperature range from 100° C. to 400° C. 
     
     
         13 . A Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect produced by the production method according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         14 . A Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect produced by the production method according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
         15 . A Mg alloy having superelastic effect and/or shape memory effect produced by the production method according to  claim 7 .