Effect of long-period stacking ordered phase on mechanical properties of Mg97Zn1Y2 extruded alloy

Abstract The mechanical properties of Mg97Zn1Y2 extruded alloy, composed of Mg matrix phase and a long-period stacking ordered phase, the so-called LPSO phase, with a volume fraction of approximately 24%, were investigated using compression tests at room temperature. The microstructure was varied to a large degree by various heat treatments at high temperatures above 400 °C, and the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties was clarified. The plastic behavior of the Mg/LPSO two-phase alloy was compared with that of Mg99.2Zn0.2Y0.6 alloy, composed almost Mg-solid-solution phase, and the strengthening mechanisms at work in the Mg97Zn1Y2 extruded alloy are discussed. The existence of the LPSO phase strongly enhanced the refinement of Mg matrix grains during extrusion, which led to a large increase in yield stress through the Hall–Petch relationship. In addition, the LPSO phases, which were aligned along the direction of extrusion in the Mg97Zn1Y2 extruded alloy, acted as hardening phases, being roughly coordinated with the short-fiber reinforcement mechanism.