Investigation of the thermomechanical properties and microstructure of special magnesium alloys

Abstract

Thanks to their high specific strength together with a low density, magnesium-based alloys have an extensive potential for the use of their castings in automotive industry. The castings based on these materials show relatively good mechanical properties that decrease significantly with an increasing temperature of their thermal exposure. The aim of this work is to study the properties of two alloys commonly used (Mg-Al-Zn, Mn type). From the studied materials the test castings were made and these were formed into the test bars used for a tensile test. This test was carried out within the temperature range of 20–300 °C. Further on, the tests of the thermomechanical properties were complemented with a microstructure analysis with the aim of checking metallurgical interventions (the effect of inoculation).