Effect of Cu addition on microstructure and properties of Mg-10Zn-5Al-0.1Sb high zinc magnesium alloy

To improve the strength,hardness and heat resistance of Mg-Zn based alloys,the effects of Cu addition on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-10Zn-5Al-0.1Sb high zinc magnesium alloy were investigated by means of Brinell hardness measurement,scanning electron microscopy (SEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS),XRD and tensile tests at room and elevated temperatures.The results show that the microstructure of as-cast Mg-10Zn-5Al-0.1Sb alloy is composed of α-Mg,t-Mg32(Al,Zn)49,φ-Al2Mg5Zn2 and Mg3Sb2 phases.The morphologies of these phases in the Cu-containing alloys change from semi-continuous long strip to black herringbone as well as particle-like shapes with increasing Cu content.When the addition of Cu is over 1.0wt.%,the formation of a new thermally-stable Mg2Cu phase can be observed.The Brinell hardness,room temperature and elevated temperature strengths firstly increase and then decrease as the Cu content increases.Among the Cu-containing alloys,the alloy with the addition of 2.0wt.% Cu exhibits the optimum mechanical properties.Its hardness and strengths at room and elevated temperatures are 79.35 HB,190MPa and 160MPa,which are increased by 9.65%,21.1% and 14.3%,respectively compared with those of the Cu-free one.After T6 heat treatment,the strengths at room and elevated temperatures are improved by 20% and 10%,respectively compared with those of the as-cast alloy.This research results provide a new way for strengthening of magnesium alloys at room and elevated temperatures,and a method of producing thermally-stable Mg-10Zn-5Al based high zinc magnesium alloys.