The microstructure of Mg-8Zn-4Al-1Ca aged alloy was investigated by TEM and HRTEM. The results show that the hardening produced in the Mg-8Zn-4Al-1Ca alloy is considerably higher than that in the Mg-8Zn-4A1 alloy. A dense dispersion of disc-like Ca2Mg6Zn3 precipitates are formed in Mg-8Zn-4Al-1Ca alloy aged at 160 ℃ for 16 h. In addition, the lattice distortions, honeycomb-looking Moir＆#233; fringes, edge dislocations and dislocation loop also exist in the microstructure. The precipitates of alloy aged at 160 ℃ for 48 h are coarse disc-like and fine dispersed grainy. When the alloy is subjected to aging at 160 ℃ for 227 h, the microstructure consists of numerous MgZn2 precipitates and Ca2Mg6Zn3 precipitates. All the analyses show that Ca is a particularly effective trace addition in improving the age-hardening and postponing the formation of MgZn2 precipitates in Mg-8Zn-4Al alloy aged at 160 ℃.
In the present paper, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD） were used to examine the effects of a Sr-Y composite modifier on the microstructure of A356 alloy. After adding Y to A356, YAl 3 compounds formed, and the size of the α （Al） crystal nucleus increased. The degree of supercooling caused by Sr-Y composite modifier was higher than Sr modification by 2.7 °C, leading to an increased nucleation rate. This increase in supercooling temperature was favorable to the refinement of eutectic structure of the alloy and its eutectic reaction was delayed to the maximum extent. The Si phase in the as-cast Sr-Y composite-modified A356 alloy was either granular or flaky. No large flakes of eutectic Si were found, and the modification effects were completely comparable with those obtained using a lone Sr modifier. After T6 heat treatment, most of the eutectic Si showed a grain-like shape with smaller grains. No eutectic Si with long-strip shapes, significant enhancements in the particle roundness and evenness of the Si crystals, and increased globosity were observed. Both the roundness and evenness of the grained Si crystals were enhanced, and the amount of globular eutectic Si available increased, these findings showed that excellent modification effects were achieved.
