Effect of solutes additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Mg–Al based alloys

Abstract

Aluminium is an essential alloying element in most commercially used Mg alloys and particularly AZ series. That is due to its outstanding ability to increasing castability, formability and mechanical properties of Mg. However, seeking higher mechanical properties alloys has always been a hot topic in this research area. Grain refinement, solid solution strengthening and precipitation hardening are all mechanisms to increasing the as-cast mechanical properties of the alloys. In the current work, the effects of 6 different solutes addition, namely titanium, silicon, manganese, copper, calcium and tin, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Al based alloys have been studied. In terms of microstructure, results showed that even though higher Q-values can be obtained through increasing the solutes addition, grain refinement is not always associated with the Q-values. In addition, intermetallic compounds played a major role in enhancing the hardness of the alloys.