Effects of T5 treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-8Al-2Li alloy

Abstract

In this study, the effects of T5 treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-8Al-2Li specimens are investigated. The experimental results show the T5-treated Mg-8Al-2Li specimens will produce the β-Mg17Al12 and/or AlLi precipitates depending on the aging temperatures. The T5-treated Mg-8Al-2Li specimens will display an obvious precipitation strengthening, regardless of whether the precipitates are single β-Mg17Al12 phase or dual phases of AlLi and Mg 17Al12. Their maximum tensile strengths can reach 355-375 MPa, which are 12-18% increment compared with that of the as-extruded specimen. Meanwhile, the T5-treated Mg-8Al-2Li specimens can still show good ductility with ∼9% elongation for specimens with their maximum strengths. © 2011 The Japan Institute of Metals.