Effect of shield gases and Ca addition on production of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet by melt drag process

Magnesium alloy is the lightest structural material, so the market is increasing. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of protective gases and Ca addition for magnesium alloy strip in melt drag process. Molten magnesium is active, so protective gas is need to prevent oxidization or burning. Protective gas is filled into experimental device. Protective gases in this paper are below; SF6+CO2, SF6+Ar, CO2, Ar, HFC-134a and HFC-134a+Ar. Through of the view point of to prevent oxidization, 2 mass% Ca added into molten magnesium. For comparison, we produced strip in air. We revealed these protective gases affected strip surface conditions, strip thickness and crystal grain size. Ar gas made strip surface flat.