Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Li-Zn alloys as processed by ECAE

Magnesium alloys and very light metals that can be used for structural application. A variety of Mg-Li-Zn alloys including Mg-11%Li-1%Zn, Mg-9%Li-1%Zn, Mg-9%Li-1 %Zn-0.2%Mn, Mg-9%Li-1 %Zn-1 %Al-0.2%Mn and Mg-9%Li-3%Al-1 %Zn-0.2%Mn were processed by equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) to see how effective is this process in refining the grain structure. After 4 passes of the ECAE process, TEM studied the microstructural diversifications, especially showing the existence of compounds, MgLiZn, MgZn₂ and ZnO. The room temperature and high temperature mechanical properties were also investigated. After the ECAE process, the room temperature strength was found enhanced at a modest cost of reduction in elongation.