STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SINTERED MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Abstract

The use of products sintered from pure magnesium or a magnesium alloy is envisaged for certain structural components in the field of nuclear technology. The mechanical properties at elevated temperatures (up to 525°C) of sintered compacts of oxidized Mg-Zr or Mg-MgO of various particle-size ranges (～20–800 μm) are discussed. Comparison of the tensile properties and of the values of the creep parameters in tension and compression emphasizes the direct dependence of the increase in mechanical strength at elevated temperatures on the content and distribution of the oxide and on the particle-size distribution of the oxidized powders. Metallographic examination of the various materials confirms these observations. The ductility varies with the size of the original particles.

Finally, data are presented for comparison on a material obtained by sintering magnesium-zirconium and magnesium-aluminium cuttings. In this case hardening occurs as a result of the formation of intermetallic compounds between the zirconium and the aluminium.