Modification effect of Al–30Zn–5Zr–1B on ZnAl4Y alloy

This study was undertaken to investigate the modification effect of Al–30Zn–5Zr–1B master alloy on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZnAl4Y alloy. The results show that with the addition of Al–30Zn–5Zr–1B master alloy to ZnAl4Y alloy, the morphology and the kind of primary phase vary considerably. Besides, the mechanical properties of the modified alloy can be improved remarkably. When the added amount of Al–30Zn–5Zr–1B master alloy is 1.3 wt.%, the tensile strength, hardness, elongation and impact toughness of the modified alloy increase by 22.3%, 17.6%, 28.8% and 694%, respectively.