Abstract
To investigate the effects of solution temperature and the decomposition of I-phase on the microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-6Zn-1.4Y-0.6Zr alloy, solution treatment at 440 ºC, 460 ºC and 480 ºC and further aging treatment were conducted on the alloy. The results indicate that the net-like intermetallic compounds (mainly I-phase) dissolve into the α-Mg matrix gradually with the increase of solution temperature from 440 ºC to 480 ºC. Besides, the I-phase decomposes completely at 480 ºC, with the formation of fine W-phase (thermal stable phase) and Mg7Zn3 phase. In addition, a great number of fine and dispersive Mg-Zn binary phases precipitate in the α-Mg matrix during the aging treatment. Due to the increase of solute atoms and the precipitation of strengthening phases, such as W-phase and Mg-Zn phases, the optimal strength is obtained after solution treatment at 460 ºC for 8 h and aged at 200 ºC for 16 h. The yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation are 208 MPa, 257 MPa and 3.8%, respectively. Compared with the as-cast alloy, the increments of YS and UTS are 117% and 58%, respectively, while the decrement of elongation is 46%.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Lee Ju Youn, Lim Hyun Kyu, Kim Do Hyung, et al. Effect of volume fraction of qusicrystal on the mechanical properties of quasicrystal-reinforced Mg-Zn-Y alloys. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2007, 449(12): 987–990.
Liu Huan, Xue Feng, Bai Jing, et al. Effect of heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an extruded Mg95.5Y3Zn1.5 alloy. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2013, 585(11): 261–267.
Liu W C, Dong J, Zhang P, et al. High cycle fatigue behavior of as-extruded ZK60 magnesium alloy. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2009, 44(11): 2916–2924.
Müller A, Garcés G, Pérez P, et al. Grain refinement of Mg-Zn-Y alloy reinforced by an icosahedral quasicrystalline phase by severe hot rolling. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2007, 443(1-2): L1–L5.
Singh A, Tsai A P. On the cubic W phase and its relationship to the icosahedral phase in Mg-Zn-Y alloys. Scripta Materialia, 2003, 49(2): 143–148.
Bae DH, Lee MH, Kim KT, et al. Application of quasicrystalline particles as a strengthening phase in Mg-Zn-Y alloys. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2002, 342(1): 445–450.
Liu Lizi, Chen Xianhua, Pan Fusheng, et al. Effect of Y and Ce additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Zr alloys. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2015, 644: 247–253.
Ma Rong, Dong Xuanpu, Chen Shuqun, et al. Effect of quasicrystal phase on mechanical properties and damping capacities of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2013, 587(18): 328–335.
Xu D K, Tang W N, Liu L, et al. Effect of W phase on the mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2008, 461(s1-s2): 248–252.
Zhang Song, Liu Wencai, Gu Xiyao, et al. Effect of solid solution and aging treatments on the microstructures evolution and mechanical properties of Mg-14Gd-3Y-1.8Zn-0.5Zr alloy. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2013, 557(5): 91–97.
Yoshida T, Itoh K, Tamura R, et al. Plastic deformation and hardness in Mg-Zn-(Y, Ho) icosahedral quasicrystals. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2000, 294(00): 786–789.
Bae D H, Kim S H, Kim D H, et al. Deformation behavior of Mg-Zn-Y alloys reinforced by icosahedral quasicrystalline particles. Acta Materialia, 2002, 50(9): 2343–2356.
Zeng Xiaoqin, Zhang Ya, Lu Chen, et al. Precipitation behavior and mechanical properties of a Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloy processed by thermo-mechanical treatment. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2005, 395(395): 213–219.
Rosalie J M, Somekawa H, Singh A, et al. Effect of precipitation on strength and ductility in a Mg-Zn-Y alloy. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2013, 550(2): 114–123.
Feng Suqin, Zhang Wenying, Zhang Yanhui, et al. Microstructure, mechanical properties and damping capacity of heat-treated Mg-Zn-Y-Nd-Zr alloy. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2014, 609(27): 283–292.
Singh Alok, Somekawa H, Mukai T. High temperature processing of Mg-Zn-Y alloys containing quasicrystal phase for high strength. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2011, 528(21): 6647–6651.
Ye Jie, Lin Xiaoping, Zhao Tianbo, et al. Influence of pre-strain on the aging hardening effect of the Mg-9.02Zn-1.68Y alloy. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2016, 663: 49–55.
Ma Rong, Dong Xuanpu, Yan Bangsong, et al. Mechanical and damping properties of thermal treated Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys reinforced with quasicrystal phase. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2014, 602(5): 11–18.
Geng Jiwei, Teng Xinying, Zhou Guorong, et al. Microstructure transformations in the heat-treated Mg-Zn-Y alloy. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2013, 577(11): 498–506.
Yan Bangsong, Dong Xuanpu, Ma Rong, et al. Effects of heat treatment on microstructure, mechanical properties and damping capacity of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloy. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2014, 594(594): 168–177.
Fang Xiaogang, Lü Shulin, Zhao Li, et al. Microstructure and mechanical properties of a novel Mg-RE-Zn-Y alloy fabricated by rheo-squeeze casting. Materials & Design, 2016, 94: 353–359.
Zhang Ya, Zeng Xiaoqin, Liu Liufa, et al. Effects of yttrium on microstructure and mechanical properties of hot-extruded Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2004, 373(1-2): 320–327.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Male, born in 1961, Professor, Ph. D. supervisor. His research interests focuses mainly on the solidification processing of nonferrous alloys through ultrasonic vibration and squeeze casting.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, J., Fang, Xg., Wu, Ss. et al. Effects of heat treatment on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg-6Zn-1.4Y-0.6Zr alloy. China Foundry 14, 199–204 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41230-017-6075-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41230-017-6075-5