Microstructural characterization and mechanical behavior of an Mg-9%Li-1%Zn alloy

The hardening of the Mg-9%Li-1%Zn alloy does not depend strongly on precipitation through aging, but cold rolling is moderately effective. The Mg-9%Li-1%Zn alloy had a dual phase structure with dispersed particles of ZnO and MgO oxides. The Wurtzite structure of ZnO was well oriented with respect to the Mg matrix, but the MgO was not. Peak aging at a temperature of 100 degrees C was at 10hrs. At 50 degrees C, the hardness reached the maximum value after an aging period of about 100 hrs. The appearance of the extra bump next to the main peak of alpha(002) after aging at 50 degrees C/100 hrs and 100 degrees C/10 hrs, was thought to correspond to a precipitate phase or spinodal decomposition.