The effect of precipitates on the mechanical properties of ZK60-Y alloy

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing, 2006-03, Vol.420 (1-2), p.322-332
• Main Authors: Xu, D.K., Liu, L., Xu, Y.B., Han, E.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age hardening; Applied sciences; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Elasticity. Plasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Fractures; Magnesium alloy; Materials science; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Physics; Precipitate; Precipitation; ZK60-Y
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2006.01.092

This paper investigated the influence of the microstructure on the mechanical properties of the forged ZK60-Y alloy under different heat treatments (T4, T5 and T6). The results show that the alloy at the direct artificial ageing treatment has superior strength and plasticity. X-ray analysis, SEM fracture observation and EDAX spectrum analysis reveal that bulk w-Mg3Y2Zn3 and coarsened rod-like MgZn′(β′1) phases have great influence on the tensile properties of the alloy. Further investigations of the alloy aged at 180°C, 200°C and 225°C for 0.5–100h, respectively, suggest that the mechanical properties and the fracture characteristics are closely related with the variation of the rod-like β′1 precipitation. The fracture observation of the samples aged at 200°C indicates that with the increase of the density and the size of the rod-like β′1 precipitation, more semi-cleavage planes will appear on the fracture surfaces.