Hot Extrusion Effect on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Mg-Y-Nd-Zr Alloy

摘要

A Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy was prepared by casting and hot extrusion. The microstructure and mechanical properties of OM, SEM, XRD, ТЕМ, and tensile tests were investigated with casting and hot extruded alloys. The results demonstrate that in a casting Mg-Y-Nd-Zr alloy, the a-Mg matrix is separated into the cell structure by a discontinuously distributed coarse Mg_(24)Y_5/α-Mg eutectic structure and fine Mg_(12)Nd particles. ТЕМ analysis shows that the Mg_(12)Nd and Mg_(24)Y-5 phases have the orientation of [001]_(Mg_(12)Nd)//[0221]_(α-Mg), and [111]_(Mg_(24)Y-5)//[0001]_(α-Mg) and (101)_(Mg_(24)Y_5)//(1010)_(α-Mg), respectively. The hot extrusion separates the Mg_(24)Y-5/α-Mg eutectic structure into fragments and aligns fragmentaiy Mg_(24)Y-5 particles along the extrusion direction. The interaction of hot extrusion and .strengthening particles refines the α-Mg matrix greatly. Moreover, large strains result in the stacking faults of the matrix. As compared to the casting alloy, the hot-extruded one exhibits high yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation, which should he ascribed to the grain fineness, optimum distribution of strengthening particles and multiple substructures.