Precipitation Behavior and Strengthening Mechanism of Second Phases in AZ31-1.3Ca-1.0Sm-0.3La Alloy

Abstract

A new type of AZ31-1.3Ca-1.0Sm-0.3La alloy was obtained in this study by adding Ca, Sm and La to AZ31 alloy. Detailed analysis results on second phases showed that Al2Ca phases, Al2Sm phases with two kinds of morphologies formed in as-cast AZ31-1.3Ca-1.0Sm-0.3La alloy besides Mg17Al12 phases, and La atoms mainly dissolved in Al2Ca/Sm phases. The average grain size of as-cast AZ31-1.3Ca-1.0Sm-0.3La alloys was 212 μm and the grain sizes distributions were uniform. After the hot extrusion, the average grain size decreased to 5.4 μm and the grain sizes distributions were uneven. The base texture of as-extruded AZ31-1.3Ca-1.0Sm-0.3La alloy was strong, and the maximum density value was 3.25. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of as-extruded AZ31-1.3Ca-1.0Sm-0.3La alloy was 216 MPa, 280 MPa and 16% at RT, and 145 MPa, 188 MPa and 42% at 150°C, respectively, which are much higher than those of the common MB2 alloy both at the room temperature and 150 °C.