Effect of cyclic loading on mechanical properties and microstructure of die cast magnesium alloy AZ91D

Magnesium alloy materials are often affected by cyclic stress, resulting in fatigue fracture due to changes in mechanical properties. In this study, external cyclic loads were introduced to simulate the loading of AZ91D (Mg-9Al-0.5Zn) parts. Tensile tests under static and external circulation loads were performed on the same specimens, and the effect of loading conditions on the mechanical properties of the specimens (tensile strength, yield strength and elongation) were studied. The internal microstructure of the test specimens was analyzed, and the influence of cyclic loading on the microstructure change of the specimens was discussed. Compared with static load, under the condition of cyclic loading, the tensile strength and yield strength of the specimens are increased by more than 15%, and the elongation rate is increased by 3 times. In addition, the microstructure images showed that many twins and the second phase beta-Mg17Al12 were generated inside the AZ91D microstructure under cyclic loading. The former results in specimens crack initiation and it is the root cause of fatigue fracture. And the latter accounts for the strengthening of the mechanical properties of specimens.