Changes in the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of AZ91 Cast Mg Alloy Caused by Heat Treatment

Changes in the mechanical properties on AZ91 Mg alloy cast into sand mold caused by heat-treatment and its microstructure were investigated by the tensile test and observation using optical and scanning electron microscopes, and chemical composition analysis. Tensile test results show that the specimens aged at 441K have larger elongation than those of aged at 489K, although they had same proof stress. The fracture surface observation reveal the cleavage fracture of aged specimen caused by the nodular structure as well as the formation of micro void around the coarse spheroidal Al-Mn-(Fe) phase.