Effects of Zr Additions on the Microstructure and Impression Creep Behavior of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

The effects of 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0 wt pct Zr additions on the microstructure and creep behavior of AZ91 Mg alloy were investigated by impression tests carried out under constant punching stress (sigma (imp)) in the range 100 to 650 MPa, corresponding to the modulus-compensated stress levels of 0.007 <= sigma(imp)/G <= 0.044, at temperatures in the range 425 K to 570 K (152 degrees C to 297 degrees C). The alloy containing 0.6 wt pct Zr showed the best creep resistance mainly due to the favorable formation of Al3Zr2 and Al2Zr intermetallic compounds, reduction in the volume fraction of the eutectic beta-Mg17Al12 phase, and solid solution hardening effects of Al in the Mg matrix. Based on the obtained stress exponents of 4.2 to 6.5 and activation energies of 90.7 to 127.1 kJ/mol, it is proposed that two parallel mechanisms of lattice and pipe-diffusion-controlled dislocation climb compete. Dislocation climb controlled by dislocation pipe diffusion prevails at high stresses, whereas climb of edge dislocations is the controlling mechanism at low stresses.