Effect of Zr on the microstructures and mechanical properties of as-extruded Mg–2.3Zn–0.18Y–xZr alloys

Abstract

The microstructures and mechanical properties of as-extruded Mg–2.3Zn–0.18Y–[Formula: see text]Zr ([Formula: see text] = 0.03, 0.06 and 0.13 at.%) alloys and aged Mg–2.3Zn–0.18Y–0.13Zr alloy were studied. The results revealed that the microstructures of as-extruded Mg–2.3Zn–0.18Y–[Formula: see text]Zr alloys are typical bimodal structures. The coarse [Formula: see text]-Mg grains are surrounded by fine dynamically recrystallized [Formula: see text]-Mg grains. The average size of [Formula: see text]-Mg grains decreases with increasing Zr content. Moreover, the addition of Zr (at.%) can improve the mechanical properties of alloy. The as-extruded Mg–2.3Zn–0.18Y–0.13Zr alloy has the best mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) of 346 MPa and 292 MPa, respectively, and an elongation of 26.7%, which can be attributed to the grain refining effect and precipitate strengthening. The UTS and elongation of Mg–2.3Zn–0.18Y–0.13Zr alloy changed slightly after aging treatment, but the YS increases remarkably, with the maximum increase of 30 MPa. The fracture surfaces of all alloys consist of many tearing ridges and dimples.