THE EFFECT OF Ca ADDITION ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AZ91 ALLOY

This paper presents the results of research work related with the effect of calcium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy. Samples of appropriately prepared alloy grades containing the addition of calcium in different concentrations (from 0.1 to 2.5 wt%) were examined in a static tensile test at room temperature and at elevated temperatures (150°C). Examinations of the microstructure were also carried out and DSC curves were plotted. It was found that, compared to the base AZ91 alloy, with increasing calcium concentration, the tensile strength at elevated temperatures increases, too. This effect is due to replacement of the low-melting Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase with calcium-containing phases like Al₂Ca and (Mg, Al)₂Ca and to enrichment of the interdendritic spaces with Ca. At the same time, the addition of calcium adversely affects the mechanical properties at room temperature, which can be explained by brittleness of the Mg-Al-Ca phases.

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