Structure and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Mg-X alloys

We have investigated the structure and mechanical properties of binary Mg-X (X=Al, Ca, Li or Zn) melt-spun ribbons in as-quenched and annealed states as the first step of the development of alloy compositions for new Mg-based rapidly solidified powder metallurgy (RS P/M) alloys. The amorphous Mg90Ca10 and Mg70Zn30 (at%) alloys exhibited high specific tensile strength of more than 2.5 X 10(5) Nm/kg and good bending ductility. Solid solubility extension was observed in Mg-Ca, Mg-Li and Mg-Zn RS alloys. The solid solution had a ductile nature for the Mg-Al and Mg-Zn RS alloys, while brittle for the Mg-Ca and Mg-Li RS alloys. The Mg-Ca and Mg-Zn RS alloys exhibited an abrupt increase in hardness by small addition of the alloying elements. The Mg94Al6,Mg-90, Al-10, Mg98Ca2 and Mg98Zn2 RS alloys exhibited both high hardness and good bending ductility after annealing. It is expected that new magnesium RS alloys will be developed hereafter on the basis of these data.