Microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-8Sn-1Al-1Zn-xNi alloys

Mg-8Sn-1Al-1Zn-xNi（x=0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, mass fraction） alloys were designed and prepared. The microstructures and the mechanical properties were studied by using optical microscope, scanning electronic microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope, X-ray diffraction and a standard universal testing machine. The results show that the microstructure of Ni-containing alloys consist of α-Mg, Mg2 Sn, β-Mg-Ni-Al and γ-AlNi phases. No β-Mg-Ni-Al phase was observed in TAZ811-2.0Ni alloy due to its 1：1 atomic ratio of Ni/Al. The addition of Ni refines the α-Mg dendrites and suppresses the formation of coarse Mg2 Sn phase. The tensile properties results show that the TAZ811-0.5Ni alloy presented the best mechanical properties, which is due to the rod-like β-Mg-Ni-Al phase, refined α-Mg dendrites and Mg2 Sn phase, as well as γ-AlNi phase. The tensile fracture mechanism transits from cleavage to quasi-cleavage fracture with the increasing Ni addition.