Effects of precipitate shape and orientation on dispersion strengthening in magnesium alloys

This paper reports results on the development of the Orowan equation appropriate for magnesium alloys strengthened by rationally-oriented, shear-resistant precipitate plates/rods. Comparisons of identical volume fractions and number densities of precipitates per unit volume indicate that plate-shaped precipitates that form on prismatic planes of the magnesium matrix phase are most effective for dispersion strengthening. (C) 2003 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.