Microstructure, microstructural stability and mechanical properties of sand-cast Mg-4Al-4RE alloy

This paper presents a methodology for assessing the phase composition and the results of structural stability tests of the sand-cast Mg-4Al-4RE alloy after annealing it at 175 and 250 degrees C for 3000 h. The microstructure was analyzed with optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. The phase composition was determined with X-ray diffraction. The structure of the Mg4Al-4RE (AE44) alloy is composed of large grains of alpha-Mg solid solution, needle-shaped precipitates of the Al(11)RE(3)phase, polyhedral precipitates of the Al2RE phase and Al10RE2Mn7 phase. After annealing at 175 degrees C for 3000 h, no changes in the alloy structure are observed, whereas after annealing at 250 degrees C the precipitates of the Al11RE3 phase are found to be in the initial stages of spheroidization. The coarse-grained structure and unfavorable morphology of the intermetallic phases in the sand-cast AE44 alloy, which are caused by low solidification rates, result in low creep resistance up to 200 degrees C and low mechanical properties at ambient temperature and at 175 degrees C. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.