The Effect of Composition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Magnesium ZAxy Alloy

Abstract

Limited formability at low temperature of wrought magnesium alloys which is caused by the hexagonal close packed crystal structure and the strong basal texture limits the applications in lightweight structure parts. In order to improve the poor ductility and the anisotropic mechanical properties of Mg alloys, new Mg-Zn based wrought Mg alloys were developed. Billets of Mg-Zn-Al alloys with different compositions were fabricated by gravity casting followed by homogenization treatment and extruded. The microstructures were observed by the optical microscopy (OM). The effects of Zn and Al on deformation behavior were examined by tensile and compressive tests. The changes of texture by plastic deformation were tested using the X-ray diffraction machine. The basal poles (002) spread along the extrusion (Rolling) direction.