High temperature mechanical behaviour of Mg–6Zn–1Y alloy with 1 wt.% calcium addition: Reinforcing effect due to I-(Mg3Zn6Y1) and Mg6Zn3Ca2 phases

Abstract

The influence of small calcium additions on the high-temperature mechanical behaviour in an extruded Mg–6Zn–1Y (wt.%) alloy reinforced by the I-phase has been investigated. Calcium promotes the formation of the intermetallic Mg6Zn3Ca2 phase instead of I-phase, which results in a noticeable improvement of the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the alloy above 100 °C. The strength of the alloys was analysed taking into account the contribution due to the grain size, the crystallographic texture and the volume fraction and nature of second phase particles. In situ synchrotron radiation diffraction experiments have been used to evaluate the load partitioning between the magnesium matrix and the second phase particles (I- and Mg6Zn3Ca2 phases) in both alloys. The load transfer from the magnesium matrix towards the Mg6Zn3Ca2 phase is markedly more effective than that for the I-phase over the entire temperature range, especially at 200 °C, temperature at which the reinforcement effect of the I-phase is null.