Microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength high-pressure die-cast Mg–4Al–3La–1Ca–0.3Mn alloy

A new high-pressure die-cast (HPDC) Mg–4Al–3La–1Ca–0.3Mn (ALaX431) alloy with high strength has successfully been fabricated. This HPDC alloy in peak-aged state exhibits tensile yield strength (TYS) of 220 MPa at room temperature and TYS of 145 MPa at 250 °C, higher than the corresponding strength of HPDC Mg alloys reported so far. These high strengths are mainly due to the formation of fine grained structure, semi-continuous reticular structure consisting of stable Al3La and (Mg,Al)2Ca particles along grain boundaries and numerous nanoscale Al2Ca precipitates within grains. Due to its higher strength than existing HPDC Mg alloys, the new developed alloy has great application potential.