Microstructure and mechanical properties of die cast magnesium alloy AM50 with varying section thicknesses

Magnesium alloy AM50 was high pressure die cast into rectangular coupons with section thicknesses of 2, 6, and 10 mm. The prepared coupons were tensile tested at room temperature; microstructure analysis and porosity measurement were performed on representative specimens. Tensile properties were noted to decrease with an increase in the section thicknesses of the die casting. Microstructure and porosity analyses indicate that the tensile behavior of die cast AM50 is primarily attributed to the level of porosity, which resulted from entrapped gas during the die casting process. Numerical simulation of mold filling implies that the porosity content in casting coupons is significantly influenced by the design of the gating system.