Mechanical behavior of cast and forged magnesium alloys and their microstructures

Effects of manufacturing processes on microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys AM60 and AZ31B were investigated. The magnesium alloy AM60 was produced by high-pressure die cast (HPDC) with two different casting processors but AZ31B was produced by forging. Casting defects were investigated with SEM observations for the specimens obtained from the two casting processors. The fatigue tests were conducted by load control according to ASTM E466 standard procedure with zero to max loading. The failed surfaces of the specimens were also observed by using SEM. The microstructural analyses were conducted for the specimens obtained from the casting and forging processors. Micro-hardness values in the cross-section of a forged specimen were relatively consistent compared to those of cast specimens. From this study, it was clearly observed that the production methods affect to the microstructures and mechanical behavior of the magnesium alloys.