Influences of Mg17Al12 Phase Morphology on the Mechanical Properties of AZ80 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Aging

The influence of Mg17Al12 phase morphology on the mechanical properties of AZ80 magnesium alloy subjected to aging was studied. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and hardness indentation were used to reveal the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of alloys during aging. The results show that Mg17Al12 phase mostly formed at grain boundaries with discontinuous lamellas morphology during aging at 150 °C. In contrast, continuous short rod and spherical Mg17Al12 particles formed transgranularly as aged at 320 °C. Both the strength of the alloy and elongation under room temperature were slightly improved via 150 °C aging.