Structure and Mechanical Properties of Rapidly Solidified Mg-X Alloys

Abstract

We have investigated the structure and mechanical properties of binary Mg-X (X=Al, Ca, Li or Zn) melt-spun ribbons in n as-quenched and annealed states as the first step of the development of alloy compositions for new Mg-based rapidly solidified powder metallurgy (RS P/M) alloys. The amorphous Mg 90 Ca 10 and Mg 70 Zn 30 (at%) alloys exhibited high specific tensile strength of more than 2.5 X 10 5 Nm/kg and good bending ductility. Solid solubility extension was observed in Mg-Ca, Mg-Li and Mg-Zn RS alloys. The solid solution had a ductile nature for the Mg-Al and Mg-Zn RS alloys, while brittle for the Mg-Ca and Mg-Li RS alloys. The Mg-Ca and Mg-Zn RS alloys exhibited an abrup increase in hardness by small addition of the alloying elements. The Mg 94 Al 6 , Mg 90 Al 10 , Mg 98 Ca 2 and Mg 98 Zn 2 RS alloys exhibited both high hardness and good bending ductility after annealing. It is expected that new magnesium RS alloys will be developed hereafter on the basis of these data.