Effects of the addition of Y in Mg–8Li–(1,3)Al alloy

Mg–8Li–Al(LA81) and Mg–8Li–3Al(LA83) are the most commonly used magnesium–lithium alloys. They have good comprehensive mechanical properties. To improve comprehensive mechanical properties of the alloys further, Y was added into LA81 and LA83 alloys. The microstructures and the mechanical properties of the alloys were studied. Results show that, the Y in LA81 and LA83 alloys can refine and spheroidize the microstructure of alloys. Al2Y phase exists at the boundary between α and β phases. The addition of Y leads to the decrease of the amount of α phase in alloys. The mechanical properties of LA81 and LA83 alloys are improved because of the Y addition. The improvement of elongation percentage is much more obvious than that of strength.