Open Access Conference Proceedings

Intensive efforts have been recently made for a production and a processing of Mg-based light structural alloys, which would provide a utilization in the automotive and aerospace engineering, medical implants and equipment, power generation system, etc. In this study, three magnesium alloys containing neodymium and/or yttrium were investigated in an extruded condition. Microstructure of the extruded samples was investigated by scanning electron microscope including EBSD and X-ray diffraction. Mechanical behaviour of the alloys was studied by compression deformation tests in the extrusion direction (ED) and transverse direction (TD). Acoustic emission technique was concurrently applied to investigate activity of particular deformation mechanisms. The highest mechanical strength was found in the WN43 alloy, which contained the highest amount of rare earths. On the other hand, no difference in a mechanical strength between N2 and W4 alloy was observed. This resulted from lower grain size and higher fraction of precipitates found in the N2 samples. Different shape of the deformation curves between ED and TD was observed in two alloys containing neodymium. This behaviour corresponded to different texture formation and was attributed to an increased activation of twinning in one deformation direction, which was proved by acoustic emission measurement.

Keywords: Magnesium alloys, rare earths, mechanical properties, texture, twinning

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