Creep of a Die-Cast Mg-5Al-2Ca Alloy: An Overview

A comprehensive research program on the creep of a die-cast Mg-5Al-2Ca (mass%) alloy, which has been conducted in the last two decades by our group, is overviewed. The obtained results are summarized into the following categories: microstructure and creep strength, creep parameters, dislocation analysis, and life assessment. The creep strength of the alloy is predominantly ascribed to the interconnected skeleton of C36-(Mg,Al)(2)Ca phase, while the fine C15-Al2Ca precipitates have limited effects on creep strength. The change in creep parameters, n and Q(c), results from the decreased creep strength driven by the divorce of the interconnected skeleton of C36 phase during creep. At stress levels below the yield stress, the dislocation climb in the primary alpha-Mg grains is inferred as the rate-controlling process for the alloy. Mostly < a > type dislocations are introduced within the primary alpha-Mg grains during die-casting, and the dislocation segments are mainly located on the basal plane. The basal segments of dislocations bow out and glide on the basal planes under stress, and the jogs follow the basal segments with the help of climb during creep. The minimum creep rate and creep rupture life follow the phenomenological Monkman-Grant relationship for the alloy. When the Larson-Miller constant is set at 20, the value of Larson-Miller parameter is uniquely described by the logarithm of the applied stress.