Effect of the Addition of Al and Cu on Magnesium Processed by Powder Metallurgy Route

Abstract

Objectives: Magnesium being HCP structured has the disadvantage of having poor deformation properties at room temperature making it difficult to work below recrystallization temperature. Hence it is necessary to improve the properties of Mg such as hardness and ductility etc. The present work aims to fabricate Mg-3Al-0.3Cu, Mg-3Al-0.6Cu, Mg- 6Al-0.3Cu and Mg-6Al-Cu alloys by powder metallurgy route. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The effect of both Al and Cu on the mechanical properties of pure Mg was evaluated. The elemental metal powders of Mg, Al and Cu are blended to make homogenized mixture and compacted at 300 MPa pressure to a 30mm diameter billets. The compacted samples were sintered using microwave furnace. The sintered samples arethen subjected to microstructural and micro-hardness testing using optical microscope and microhardness tester respectively. Findings: Results of microstructural and mechanical tests suggest that the Al and Cu have significant effect on the hardness of Mg by the formation of Mg2Cu and Mg17Al12 phases. Based on the observations the optimum percentage of Al and Cu was found to be Mg-6Al-0.6Cu for betterhardness. Application/Improvement: The systematic investigation of the effect of Al and Cu on the sintered magnesium alloys is reported for the first time.