Effect of Solutionizing Time on Improving the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Aged AZ80 Mg Alloy

The effects of solutionizing soak time and aging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast AZ80 Mg alloy were investigated. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction revealed the dissolution of beta-Mg17Al12 phase in the solution-treated samples which was later detected in the aged condition. Solution treatments at 420 degrees C for 4-16 h with water quenching followed by aging at 200 degrees C for 10 h were carried out, causing discontinuous precipitates to be formed with different precipitate morphologies at the various soak times. The discontinuous precipitates were observed to transform from the interdendritic segregation to parallel lamellae with increasing soak time to 8-10 h. As the soak time increased to 16 h, parallel lamellae transformed into tree-like precipitate morphology. The results showed significant changes in the interlamellar spacing at different soak times, and such precipitate morphology could influence the microstructure and mechanical properties after the aging process. A good combination of strength and ductility was obtained when the cast AZ80 Mg alloy was solution-treated at 420 degrees C for 10 h and aged at 200 degrees C for 10 h. Compared to the as-cast condition, a significant increase in ultimate tensile strength (50%), yield strength (47%) and elongation (43%) were observed.