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Abstract: A large Mg-4.50Zn-1.13Ca (wt%) alloy ingot 350mm in diameter and 1730mm long was successfully fabricated by semi-continuous casting. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-cast and as-extruded alloys were investigated. The as-cast alloy exhibits uniform chemical composition and microstructure from the centre to the surface of the ingot and mainly consists of α-Mg and Ca2Mg6Zn3. The coarse grains and network-like second phases that are distributed at the grain boundaries result in poor mechanical properties for the as-cast alloy. The mechanical properties of the as-extruded alloys are significantly enhanced. The high yield strengths of the as-extruded alloys mainly result from the fine DRXed grain and the stronger basal texture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–8.2Gd–3.8Y–1.0Zn–0.4Zr (wt%) alloy sheets produced by combined processes of extrusion, large-strain hot rolling and ageing treatment were investigated. The sheet rolled at 300°C was mainly composed of deformed grains while that rolled at 400°C was fully recrystallized, and the LPSO phase distributed at the grain boundaries in both sheets. The sheet rolled at 300°C and then peak-aged at 200°C exhibits 0.2% proof stress (PS) of 454MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 469MPa and elongation to failure of 1.3% at ambient temperature, and 0.2% PS of 413MPa, UTS of 457MPa and elongation to failure of 6.8% at 200°C, respectively. While the sheet rolled at 400°C and peak aged at 200°C had lower 0.2% PS and superior ductility. The improvement of strength is ascribed to the fine β′ phase precipitated within the grains, the LPSO phase and dispersed cuboid Mg–Gd–Y containing phase located at the grain boundaries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The extruded Mg–8.2Gd–3.8Y–1.0Zn–0.4Zr (wt%) alloy were subjected to large-strain hot rolling with different final rolling temperatures. The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the sheets were investigated. The microstructure became homogeneous after hot rolling process and long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase distributed at grain boundaries along rolling direction. The sheet rolled at 300°C was composed of deformed grains, substructures and excessive dislocations. With increasing final rolling temperatures from 300°C to 400°C, the volume fraction of recrystallized grains with relatively random orientations increased significantly. The strength of the rolled sheets was improved while the ductility was deteriorated with decreasing final rolling temperatures. The tensile yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the sheet rolled at 300°C reached 320MPa and 416MPa, respectively with the elongation to failure of 5.3%. The mechanical anisotropy of the rolling sheet became unity when rolled at higher temperature of 400°C due to the formation of weaker basal texture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Different cooling processes, such as quenching in warm water and cooling in furnace, were introduced to homogenize Mg–8.2Gd–3.8Y–1.0Zn–0.4Zr (wt%) alloy. Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the homogenized alloy were investigated. The as-quenched sample was comprised of α-Mg matrix, Mg5RE phase and 18R LPSO phase distributed at the grain boundaries and a few of RE-rich particles distributed randomly. During the process of cooling in furnace, Mg5RE and 18R LPSO phases were transformed into block-shaped 14H LPSO phase and lamellar-shaped 14H LPSO phase, respectively, due to the diffusion of solute atoms into the α-Mg matrix. Furthermore, the lamellar-shaped 14H LPSO phase grew and ran through the whole grains. The as-quenched sample exhibits tensile yield strength of 130MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 206MPa and elongation to failure of 5.5%, while the sample cooled in the furnace exhibits higher tensile yield strength but lower ultimate tensile strength and ductility due to the coarse grains and formation of block-shaped 14H LPSO phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ultra high-strength Mg–8.2Gd–3.8Y–1.0Zn–0.4Zr alloy sheet was prepared by large-strain hot rolling and subsequent ageing process. The sheet exhibits excellent tensile properties at ambient temperature with ultimate tensile strength of 517MPa, 0.2% proof stress of 426MPa and elongation to failure of 4.5%. The notable improvement in strength is attributed to the dense distribution of the fine precipitates inside the grains, scattered precipitates at the grain boundaries, bimodal grain size distribution with fine recrystallized grains and large deformed grains with intense basal texture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]