The contributions of different alloying additions to hardening in rapidly solidified magnesium alloys

The contributions of combinations of Al, Zn, Si, Ce, Li and Ca to hardening of melt-spun Mg alloys are quantified and assessed by reference to new results and data from the literature. Hardening in rapidly solidified αMg based Mg-Al-Zn samples follows H = H0 + K1(XZn + 1/2 XAl) with H0 ~ 50 kg/mm2 and K110 kg/mm2 per at.% Al and Zn. Further increments in H from further additions of Si, Ce or Li are similar to those obtained when Al and Zn are absent. Mg-Al-Ca alloy glass-forming compositions exhibit hardness values 15 to 30 percent less than for corresponding Mg-(Cu,Ni)-Y alloy glasses, possibly as a result of their lower Youngʹs modulus.