Effect of Li Content on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of as-Homogenized Mg-Li-Al-Zn-Zr Alloys

Abstract

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-homogenized Mg-xLi-3Al-2Zn-0.2Zr alloys (x = 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 wt.%) were studied. As the Li content increased from 5 wt.% to 11 wt.%, the alloy matrix changed from the α-Mg single-phase to α-Mg+β-Li dual-phase and then to the β-Li single-phase. Homogenized With the increase in Li content, the alloy strength decreased while the elongation increased, and the corresponding fracture mechanism changed from cleavage fracture to microvoid coalescence fracture. This is mainly attributed to the matrix changing from α-Mg with hcp structure to β-Li with bcc structure. Additionally, the increase in the AlLi softening phase led to the reduction of Al and Zn dissolved in the alloy matrix with increasing Li content, which is one of the reasons for the decrease in alloy strength.