Evolution of Microstructure, Texture, and Tensile Properties in Two-Phase Mg-Li Alloys: Effect of Zn Addition

• Published in: JOM (1989) 2020-04, Vol.72 (4), p.1627-1637
• Main Authors: Perugu, Chandra S., Kumar, S., Suwas, Satyam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum and Magnesium: New Alloys and Applications; Aluminum base alloys; Chemistry/Food Science; Cold; Cold rolling; Crystal structure; Ductility; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Evolution; Investigations; Lithium; Magnesium alloys; Magnesium base alloys; Mechanical properties; Metals; Microstructure; Physics; Software; Solid solutions; Solution strengthening; Spectrum analysis; Tensile properties; Texture; Zinc
• ISSN: 1047-4838; 1543-1851
• DOI: 10.1007/s11837-020-04040-8

The effect of ternary zinc (Zn) addition to two-phase magnesium-lithium alloys on the evolution of their microstructure, texture and tensile properties has been investigated. It was observed that the volume fraction of hexagonal close-packed α phase increased with increase in the Zn content. The size of α lamellae reduced with increase in the Zn content. The strength of the alloys in as-cast condition increased with the Zn content due to solid-solution strengthening without compromising the ductility. The tensile properties of these two-phase alloys were found to be strongly dependent on the volume fraction and size of the α phase. Zn addition led to enhancement of the {200} || normal direction (ND) component but weakening of {110} || ND components in the β phase, while increase in the Zn content had a minor effect on the texture of the α phase in cold-rolled condition. The specific strength of the alloy with 2 wt.% Zn was found to be comparable to, while the ductility was higher than, the highest-strength 7075-T73 Al alloy.