Effects of yttrium addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-extruded AZ31 magnesium alloys

The effects of yttrium addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-extruded AZ31 magnesium alloys were investigated by OM, XRD and SEM. The results show that the addition of yttrium results in the formation of a new phase, Al 2Y. When the addition of yttrium is higher than 1.48%–2.91% (mass fraction), another new phase, Al 3Y 5Mn 7, forms, and the amount of β-Mg 17Al 12 phase in the AZ31 alloy decreases sharply. The tensile test at room temperature indicates that the yield strength of as-extruded AZ31 alloys improves with the addition of yttrium, but the elongation decreases, which is possibly related to the formation of coarse blocky compounds containing yttrium and the grain coarsening in the alloys.