Processing and Nano-mechanical Characterization of Mg-Li-Al based Alloys

Two novel Mg-Li-Al based alloys, namely Mg-9 wt% Li-7 wt% Al-1 wt% Sn (LAT971), and Mg-9 wt% Li- 5 wt% Al -3 wt% Sn- 1 wt% Zn (LATZ9531), were cast and hot rolled at 573K. Phase analysis revealed the presence of major Mg-rich (α) and Li- rich (β) phases along with precipitates. Nano-mechanical properties (via nanoindentation) of individual α and β-phases in Mg-Li rolled alloys elicited similar elastic modulus (between 57–60 GPa). However, variation in nanohardness (0.886–1.383 GPa) and plasticity index (0.86–0.93) were observed. Finally, wear mechanism has been proposed based on nano-scratch studies of Mg-Li-Al based alloys.