Mechanical properties and microstructure of Mg-Zn-Y alloys processed by ECAE

Development of high strength I/M Mg alloys has been tried by ECAE processing. The mechanical properties and microstructure of ECAE-processed Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy with LPSO (long-periodic stacking ordered) structure were investigated. The tensile yield strength and elongation of as-cast Mg97Zn1Y2 were improved substantially by ECAE process. ECAE-processed with yield strength of 290 MPa and elongation of 22 % was obtained. The microstructure of ECAE-processed Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy consisted of refined α-Mg with the grain size around 6.5 μm and finely dispersed LPSO phase. Furthermore, the some texture was formed by ECAE process. The improved mechanical properties seem to be originated by the microstructure refinement and texture.