Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Mg-10Gd-3Y-2Zn-0.5Zr Alloy

Abstract

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-10Gd-3Y-2Zn-0.5Zr alloy were investigated. Three kinds of phases including Mg, Mg3(GdYZn) and Mg12(GdY)Zn were found in the as-cast alloy. Two different patterns of the long-period stacking order (LPSO) phases including lamellar structure and block-like structure were observed in the homogenized alloy and both of them were identified as the phase of Mg12(GdY)Zn. After extrusion with ratio of 10:1 under 420°C, fine dynamic recrystallized grains were obtained and its average size was only about 4μm. The alloy exhibited excellent mechanical properties by hot extrusion and heat treatment. The ultimate tensile strengths of the as-extruded and peak-aged alloys were 415MPa and 480MPa, the tensile yield strength were 335MPa and 410MPa, the elongations were 16% and 13.5%, respectively. The high mechanical properties were mainly attributed to the combined effects of fine grains, LPSO phases and the dispersed precipitates.