Effect of the Zn content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of indirect-extruded Mg-5Sn-xZn alloys

Mg-5Sn-xZn alloys with varying Zn contents were subjected to indirect extrusion and the effects of the Zn content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-extruded alloys were investigated. It was found that, the grain size and the basal texture are basically similar, however, the amount of fine particles consisting of Mg(2)Sn and MgZn phases increases markedly as the Zn content increases. A higher number of these particles would be responsible for the better comprehensive mechanical properties as well as a lower degree of yield asymmetry. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.