Microstructure and compression deformation behavior in the quasicrystal-reinforced Mg-6Zn-2Y alloy solidified under super-high pressure at room-temperature

The microstructures of the Mg-6Zn-2Y alloy solidified under high pressures were investigated using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The room-temperature compression behavior was analyzed through experiments, showing that the microstructures of the alloys are consisted of alpha-Mg and quasicrystal I-Mg3Zn6Y phases. With solidification pressure increasing, the microstructures were refined, and the morphologies of the inter-dendritic secondary phase were improved from continuous networks into long-island and granule. The compression strength, yielding strength and compressibility were increased significantly corresponding with solidification pressure, from 259.02 MPa, 230.39 MPa and 18.3% under ambient pressure to 361.43 MPa, 272.25 MPa and 33.1% under high pressure of 6 GPa. The cleavage planes are flat, and the cleavage steps are straight under ambient pressure. However, the cleavage planes are small and rough under 4-6 GPa; "tearing dimples" occur in the tearing area, indicating that the degree of cleavage fracture decreases under high pressure.