Microstructures, Tensile Properties and Creep Characteristics of as-Extruded AZ91 Magnesium Alloy Containing Si, Ca and Rare Earth Elements

Abstract

Wrought AZ (Mg–Al–Zn) series alloys have attracted lots of researches, due to low cost, high strength and good formability. Few researches focus on creep characteristics of wrought AZ series alloys, which might be of significance to extensive use of low-cost wrought Mg–Al based alloy at elevated temperature. The microstructures, tensile properties and creep characteristics of as-extruded Mg-9Al-Zn-0.5RE-0.5Ca-0.5Si (wt.%, named AZXSE91000) alloy were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), tensile tests and tensile creep tests (40–100 MPa, 125–150 °C). The as-extruded AZXSE91000 alloy exhibited good tensile strength both at room temperature and elevated temperature. The co-addition of Si, Ca and rare earth elements can improve the heat resistance of as-extruded AZ91 alloy resulting from fragmented heat-resistant particles hindering grain boundaries sliding. The steady creep rates of as-extruded AZXSE91000 alloy can be comparable with that of as-cast AZ91 alloy under similar experimental conditions. Dislocation climbing and grain boundary slip should dominantly contribute to the creep of as-extruded AZXSE91000 alloy. The asymmetric discontinuous precipitation in crept samples revealed that diffusion played an unneglected role during the creep process.