Effects of Te addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy

To improve the mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy, the effects of Te addition on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy were investigated by means of optical microscope (OM), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and tensile testing machine. The results show that the microstructure of Te-containing AZ91 alloys is refined with the improvement of mechanical properties of AZ91 alloys. When the addition of Te is 0.9 wt%, the grain becomes finer, with primary beta-Mg17Al12 phases distributed, and new granule-like Al2Te3 phases emerge at the grain boundary with dispersive distribution. As a result, tensile strength and yield strength of as-cast AZ91 alloy are improved from 150 MPa and 80 MPa to 180 MPa and 107 MPa. The optimal tensile properties were obtained. This was attributed to the smaller grain size strengthening and new emerged hard Al2Te3 phase strengthening. The present findings provide a new way for strengthening of AZ91 alloys.