Study the mechanical properties of a novel light Mg-Zn-Gd-Y-Nd alloy designed for aerospace applications

Magnesium and magnesium based alloys has the potential to function as an industrial material in the aerospace technology via alloying by rare earth elements (REs). The effect of alloying elements (Zn and REs: Gd, Y and Nd) on microstructure, texture and hardness of Mg has been here investigated by means of optical microscopy (OM), hardness test and X-ray measurements. Microstructural observation and texture investigation indicate that dynamic recrystallization (DRX) dominates the as-extruded microstructures while static recrystallization (SRX) and grain growth decreased the hardness during annealing of extruded samples. More importantly, the texture was weekend after extrusion while the annealing procedure after extrusion increased the texture intensity. It is concluded that addition of alloying elements strengthens magnesium by grain refinement and solid solution strengthening effect of alloying elements. Moreover, it is observed that extrusion gives rise to a more refined grain structure and higher hardness value together with a weaker texture which convey that the as extruded alloy has more enhanced properties rather than the extruded-annealed one.

Keywords:

agnesium based alloy , aerospace application , mechanical properties , texture.