Mechanical properties and microstructures of hot extruded AE42 alloy with addition of zinc

Mechanical properties and microstructures of AE42 magnesium alloy with addition of Zn and subjected to hot extrusion at 370 degrees C and an extrusion ratio of 8:1 were investigated. The results show that for the AE42 alloy, the addition of Zn can obviously improve its elongation as well as the ultimate tensile and yield strengths below 150 degrees C. The addition of Zn can refine the microstructure of the AE42 alloy, and result in the precipitation of Mg17Al12 and MgZn2 phases. Due to the addition of Zn to the AE42 alloy, the amount of Al11RE3 phase decreases, while the Al11RE3 phase becomes short rod-shaped from acicular and block, and distributes along the grain boundaries, which will have a stronger effect on the tensile properties of the alloy at elevated temperature. In addition, with the presence of MgZn2 precipitates, the sliding of grain boundaries is restrained and the strength of the alloy gets enhanced.