Intermediate-Temperature Tensile Behavior of a Hot-Rolled Mg-Li-Al-Cd-Zn Alloy

Abstract

Developing light structure materials that work stably at elevated temperatures is a long-standing challenge for many application fields, particularly in the development of aerospace equipment. Zn/Cd alloying elements were prospected to improve the stability of the lightest Mg-Li based alloys; however, little is known about the intermediate-temperature mechanical properties of such alloys. The present work investigated the tensile behaviors of a cold-rolled Mg-Li-Al-Cd-Zn alloy in a temperature range of 30–150 °C. The results indicate that the alloy can host a tensile strength σUTS of 108~121 MPa, a yield strength σYP of 97~109 MPa and elongation εB of 14–15 % at 150 °C, dependent on the tensile direction. The mechanical properties intensively are modulated by temperature through the competition between work hardening and softening. Work hardening due to dislocation blocking by the precipitated MgLi2X phase dominated the deformation at low temperatures, while softening that resulted from dynamic recrystallization was the main effect at high temperatures. Correspondingly, a quasi-cleavage mechanism dominated the fracture at temperatures near room temperature, and microvoid coalescence worked at high temperatures above 100 °C. Our results offer a new experimental understanding of the elevated-temperature mechanical behaviors of Mg-Li alloys and will advance the development of new light magnesium alloys with high stability.

Room Temperature Strengthening and High-Temperature Superplasticity of Mg-Li-Al-Sr-Y Alloy Fabricated by Asymmetric Rolling and Friction Stir Processing

“…Due to the demand of aviation and spaceflight industries, studies on the room temperature microstructure, mechanical properties, and strengthening have been reported in some Mg-Li alloys [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Meanwhile, investigations into the superplasticity and hot deformation of Mg-Li alloys attract extensive attention because aerospace environment sustains the temperature difference up to 423 K, and high-temperature performance is urgently required [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Table 1 summarizes the grain refinement and superplasticity of Mg-Li-based alloys, indicating that the superplasticity of Mg-Li alloys captured the attention of researchers.…”