Microstructures and mechanical properties of high performance Mg-6Gd-3Y-2Nd-0.4Zr alloy by indirect extrusion and aging treatment

High strength Mg-6Gd-3Y-2Nd-0.4Zr (wt%) alloy rods were successfully produced by indirect hot extrusion and subsequent aging treatment, and microstructures and mechanical properties of the alloy in the as-cast, as-extruded and peak-aged conditions have also been investigated. The result shows that outstanding aging hardening response is obtained at 92 h as aged at 200 °C. The peak-aged alloy displays high strength. The values of the ultimate tensile strength and yield tensile strength are 435 MPa and 359 MPa, respectively. The strong aging hardening response is mainly ascribed to the large amount of semi-coherent β′ precipitates forming on the prismatic plane of the matrix.