Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Al-Ca Alloys with Yttrium Addition

The aims of this study are to investigate the effect of Y (yttrium) addition in the Mg-Al-Ca alloys on microstructure and mechanical properties. In additions, the alloys were solution treated in order to achieve a better understanding of the precipitation mechanisms. The as-cast microstructure of Mg-5Al-3Ca alloy and Mg-5Al-3Ca-xY alloys contains dendritic alpha-Mg matrix and eutectic intermetallic compound at grain boundary. The hardness values of Mg-Al-Ca alloy with Y additions were slightly increased than that of Mg-Al-Ca with no Y addition. It is because of reduction of alpha-Mg phase and presence of (Mg,Al)(2)Ca and Al-Y rich intermetallic phase at grain boundary and a-Mg matrix grains. Also, hardness value of yttrium (Y) containing alloys was increased with increasing Y contents. Compared to Mg-5Al-3Ca alloy, maximum strength and yield strength of the alloys with Y additions have slightly increased with increasing Y additions in the case of as-east samples.