Enhanced compressive properties of open-cell Mg-Gd-Zn foams with long-period stacking ordered phase at elevated temperatures

The novel open-cell Mg-8Gd-2Zn (wt%) foams containing long-period stacking order (LPSO) phase were fabricated. The compressive properties of the as-cast Mg-8Gd-2Zn foams and AZ91D foams at different temperatures were investigated. The experimental results show that the Mg-8Gd-2Zn foams mainly consist of α-Mg, LPSO and (Mg,Zn)3Gd phase. As compared to the AZ91D foams, the Mg-8Gd-2Zn foams exhibit lower compressive strength at room temperature or 100 °C, but higher compressive strength at 200 °C or 300 °C. The energy absorption capacity of the foams is also improved at 300 °C. The enhanced compressive properties of the foams at elevated temperatures can be attributed to the high thermal stability of LPSO phase.