A Study of Aging Treatment on the Mg-10Li-0.5Zn Alloy

Abstract

In this study, an aging treatment was performed to investigate the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-10Li-0.5Zn (LZ101) alloy. Experimental results show that the LZ101 Mg-Li alloy exhibits a dual-phase microstructure of α (HCP) and β (BCC) phases, and has a good ductility. The 723 K solid-solution treated LZ101 Mg-Li alloy exhibits a single β structure and produces α precipitates after natural and artificial aging. The solid-solution treated specimen has lower mechanical strength and higher elongation than the as-extruded one. The aged specimens exhibit a typical behaviour of precipitation hardening. The maximum tensile strength can reach 188 MPa, 180 MPa and 173 MPa, corresponding to the natural aging of 345.6 ks, 423 K aging of 21.6 ks and 523 K aging of 10.8 ks.