Mechanical properties and high-temperature oxidation behavior of Mg-Al-Zn-Ca-Y magnesium alloys

Abstract

Ignition resistance and tensile properties of Mg-3Al-1Zn and Mg-6Al-1Zn (wt.%) alloys with combined addition of calcium and yttrium were investigated in the present study. The results of this study clearly show that the combined addition of calcium and yttrium can lead to significant increase in both ignition temperature and tensile properties, comparing to 2 wt.% Ca-added magnesium alloys with lamella-shaped eutectic phases. This is because the reduction of calcium content and the addition of a small amount of yttrium bring about a reduced amount of coarse Ca-containing phases and the formation of duplex protective oxide layers that effectively prevent oxygen penetration into the melt.