Effect of Zn content on microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of extruded Mg-Zn-Ca-Mn alloys.

Mg-Zn-Ca-Mn series alloys are developed as promising candidates of 5G communication devices with excellent thermal conductivities, great ductility, and acceptable strength. In present paper, Mg-xZn-0.4Ca-0.2Mn (x = 2wt%, 4wt%, 6wt%) alloys were prepared by a near-solidus extrusion and the effect of Zn content on mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. The results showed that the addition of minor Ca led to the formation of Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ eutectic phase at grain boundaries. A type of bimodal microstructure occurred in the as-extruded alloys, where elongated coarse deformed grains were embedded in refined recrystallized grains matrix. Correspondingly, both yield strength and ductility of the alloys were significantly enhanced after extrusion due to the great grain refinement. Specially, higher Zn content led to the increment in yield strength and a slight reduction in elongation due to the larger fractions of second phase particles. The room temperature thermal conductivity of as-extruded alloys was also improved compared with that of as-cast counterparts. The increment of Zn content decreased the thermal conductivity of both as-cast and as-extruded alloys, which was due to the increased second phase fraction and solution atoms in the matrix, that hindering the motion of electrons. The as-extruded Mg-2Zn-0.4Ca-0.2Mn (wt%) alloy exhibited the highest elongation of 27.7% and thermal conductivity of 139.2 W/(mK), combined with an acceptable ultimate tensile strength of 244.0 MPa. The present paper provides scientific guidance for the preparation of lightweight materials with high ductility and high thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]