Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-10Gd-6Y-2Zn-0.6Zr(wt.%) alloy

Microstructures and tensile mechanical properties of Mg-10Gd-6Y-2Zn-0.6Zr alloy were systematically studied. Four phases were found in the as-cast specimen: alpha-Mg, Mg(3)(GdYZn), Mg(12)(GdY)Zn and Mg(24)(GdYZn)(5). The long-period stacking order (LPSO) structure is found, which is the phase of Mg(12)(GdY)Zn. The LPSO structure has two existing forms: lamellar structure in the inner grains and block-like structure at grain boundaries. 6H-type LPSO structure with a stacking sequence of ABCBCB' is defined in homogenized specimen, where A and B' layers are significantly enriched by Gd, Y and Zn. The ageing hardening behavior of as-extruded specimens at 200 degrees C has been investigated. The ultimate tensile strengths of the as-extruded and peak-aged alloys are 360 MPa and 432 MPa, and the elongations are 18% and 5% respectively. The effective strengthening models have been considered to predict the strength. The results suggested that the sub-micron metastable beta' phase was the main strengthening factor of the peak-aged alloy. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.