Abstract
Two magnesium alloys (Mg-2Y-2Gd-1Ca, Mg-2Y-2Nd-1Ca) were designed with an emphasis on high flammability resistance while maintaining solid mechanical properties. Both alloys were processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) in order to achieve finer microstructure and enhanced strength.
The investigated alloys are characterized by exceptional high ignition temperature caused by a structurally stable oxide layer. Processing by ECAP led to a homogenous ultrafine-grained microstructure with mean grain size below 1 µm. TEM analysis revealed uniform distribution of submicrometer Mg2Ca and Mg5RE secondary phases particles.
Deformation tests and microhardness measurement proved that the analysed microstructural condition resulted in favourable mechanical properties with yield strength exceeding 250 MPa in both tension and compression.