Effects of Sb on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-5.5Al-1.2Y Alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of aged Mg-5.5Al-1.2Y magnesium alloy with Sb addition are investigated by optical microscope, SEM and X-ray diffraction analyzer. The results show that with proper content of Sb addition, the microstructure of Mg-5.5Al-1.2Y magnesium alloy is refined obviously and high melting point intermetallic compounds Sb3Y5 and Mg3Sb2 are formed. Meanwhile, the beta-Mg17Al12 phase is more distributed. With the increase of Sb addition, the mechanical properties of the alloy at room and elevated temperature increase at first, and then decrease. When the content of Sb is up to 0.5%, the values of tensile strength and elongation at room temperature,150 degrees C and 175 degrees C are up to their maxima synchronously, 241MPa/16.84%, 198MPa/20.27.86% and 169MPa/21.21% respectively.