Effect of Ca, RE elements and semi-solid processing on the microstructure and creep properties of AZ91 alloy

The effects of calcium and rare earth elements (RE) on the microstructure and creep properties of as-cast and thixoformed AZ91 magnesium alloy have been investigated. It has been shown that the amount of β(Mg17Al12) intermetallic compound decreases by adding Ca and RE elements into AZ91 alloy and new Al11RE3 and Al2Ca intermetallic compounds form in the microstructure. The coarsening of primary α(Mg) particles in AZ91 alloy and in the Ca and RE containing (AZRC91) alloy takes place by Ostwald ripening mechanism. Adding Ca and RE elements into AZ91 alloy results in a decrease in the coarsening rate of solid particles in semi-solid slurry, whereas it has no visible effect on the shape factor of the solid-particles. The creep properties of AZ91 alloy are improved by adding Ca and RE elements particularly, in the thixoformed condition.