Mg-Zn-Y Alloys with Long-Period Stacking Ordered Phases: Deformation, Creep, Solute Segregation and Strengthening Mechanisms at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

Mg-Zn-Y alloys with long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases have superior strength at elevated temperatures. We studied plastic deformation and creep behavior of a Mg97Zn1Y2 (at.%) alloy. Deformation kinking of the LPSO phase plays an important role in strengthening the alloy during compression at elevated temperatures. Growth stacking faults with Zn/Y segregation can act as obstacles to non-basal slip and deformation twinning in Mg matrix. The tensile creep strain was only about 0.01% under a tensile stress of 70MPa for 100h at 200 °C, demonstrating excellent creep resistance of this alloy. Generation and motion of basal dislocations led to bending of LPSO phase during tensile creep of the Mg97Zn1Y2 (at.%) alloy. Plastic deformation in Mg grains was mostly achieved through basal slip during creep at temperatures below 200 °C, while non-basal slip through the generation and motion of “a + c” dislocations was activated with increasing the temperature to 200 °C and above. Dissociation of dislocations and Suzuki segregation on basal planes occurred widely in Mg matrix, which hindered dislocation motion and thus played an important role in preventing Mg grains from softening during deformation at elevated temperatures. In addition, Cottrell atmospheres were observed along dislocations in plastically deformed LPSO phase, impeding motion of dislocations. The superior strength and creep resistance of the Mg97Zn1Y2 (at.%) alloy at elevated temperatures are thus associated with the LPSO phase, stacking faults in Mg grains, formation of Cottrell atmospheres in LPSO and occurrence of Suzuki segregation in Mg.