Effect of Y/Zn ratio on microstructure and properties of as-extruded Mg-Y-Zn alloys

In this work, four Mg-Y-Zn alloys with specific Y/Zn (wt%) ratio have been prepared. The effects of Y/Zn (wt%) on the microstructure of extruded Mg-Y-Zn alloy were investigated by SEM and TEM. The mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of extruded Mg-Y-Zn alloy were also studied by tensile test, electrochemical and immersion measurements. The corrosion mechanism was studied by SEM observation of the surface morphology of the samples after immersion corrosion. The result indicates that the as-extruded Mg-6Y-3Zn alloy consists of alpha-Mg, W phase and long-period stacking ordered structure (LPSO) phases. Two types of LPSO structure (18 R and 14 H) appear in the as-extruded alloys. The volume fraction of LSPO increases with the increase of Y and Zn atoms witht the same Y/Zn mass ratio. Mg-9Y-3Zn alloy has the best comprehensive mechanical properties. Its yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation are 230 MPa, 327mpa and 23% respectively, because the volume fraction of LSPO phase in the alloy is the highest. In addition, the higher volume fraction of LPSO is beneficial to enhance the corrosion resistance of Mg-9Y-3Zn alloy.