The effect of heat treatment on morphology and phase composition of grain boundary phases in Mg-Zn-Y-Nd-Zr
2015
Abstract
The Mg-Zn-Y system attracts interest of researchers due to the formation of quasicrystalline particles which are believed to improve mechanical properties of Mg-based alloys. In the Mg-Zn-Y-Nd-Zr alloy (WE43 modified by addition of Zn) studied here the formation of icosahedral phase (I-phase) with quasicrystalline structure competes with cubic W-phase.
Grain boundary phases in Mg-Zn-Y-Nd-Zr alloys subjected to various heat treatments were characterized. It was found that the portion of the I-phase in Mg-Zn-Y-Nd-Zr alloy can be increased by a suitable heat treatment.
Moreover, the solidification process is influenced by the cooling rate resulting in a striking difference in the morphology of grain boundary phases.