Microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Er alloys containing I-phase and W-phase simultaneously

Pole figures of as-extruded Mg-9Zn-xEr alloys at 300 °C (a, b and c) and 400 °C (d, e and f), respectively: (a, d) Mg-9Zn-3Er, (b, e) Mg-9Zn-4.5Er, (c, f) Mg-9Zn-6Er. The results indicate that the as-extruded Mg-9Zn-xEr alloys display their {0002} <101¯0> fiber texture, which are similar to as-extruded Mg-xZn-yEr (x = 3, 6, 9, y = 0.5, 1, 1.5, x:y = 6, containing I-phase) alloys and as-extruded Mg-xZn-yEr (x = y = 2, 4, 6, containing W-phase) alloys. In addition, although the content of Er increases, the intensity of the as-extruded Mg-9Zn-xEr alloys is not showing a downward trend, which is different from that of as-extruded Mg-xZn-yEr (x = 3, 6, 9, y = 0.5, 1, 1.5, x:y = 6, containing I-phase) alloys and as-extruded Mg-xZn-yEr (x = y = 2, 4, 6, containing W-phase) alloys due to the presence of I-phase and W-phase, which have been published separately. Thus, it can be found that the activation of DRX via PSN is dependent on types, size and distribution of the secondary phase.