Microstructure and Creep Properties of Casting Mg-8Al-0.3Mn Alloy Containing Ca and Sr

Microstructures and creep properties of AM80 alloy with calcium and strontium additions have been investigated by using OM, X-ray diffraction, SEM and creep tests. The results indicate that the as-cast microstructure of the AM80 alloy consists of the alpha-Mg matrix, bones-shaped Mg17Al12 and lamellar second precipitation phase at grain boundaries. Calcium and strontium can refine the grain size and the secondary phases. Calcium addition results in the formation of a fishbone Al2Ca eutectic phase in AM80 alloy. With the increase of calcium, reticular Al2Ca phase distribute at the grain boundaries. The creep resistance of the AM80 alloy is significantly improved by a small amount of strontium and calcium addition due to the formation of a grain boundary network consisting of the high melting point Al2Ca phase. Microstructure observations performed on the sample after creep testing reveal that the phase is distorted during creep, reflecting its formation in the as-cast microstructure is unbeneficial to creep properties of the AM80 alloy. The creep resistance of the alloy at elevated temperatures was remarkably increased when calcium was added combined with strontium. The highest creep resistance was obtained from the alloy with xSr and y3Ca addition and its steady state creep rate reached as low as 3.941 x 10-8s-1, one order of magnitude lower than that of alloy AM80 without strontium and calcium additions.