Effect of substitution of 1 at% Ni for Zn on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg94Y4Zn2 alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg94Y4Zn2 and Mg94Y4Zn1Ni1 alloys have been systematically investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and an electronic universal testing machine. The as-cast WZ42 alloy is composed of α-Mg matrix, 18R LPSO (long period stacking ordered) phase and a small fraction of Mg24(Y,Zn)5 phases. With the replacement of 1 at% Ni atoms, the phase structures in WZN411 alloy remain unchanged, but their chemical compositions vary obviously. A great number of stacking faults exist in α-Mg grains of WZ42 alloy, while they are barely observed in WZN411 alloy. After annealing at 500 °C for 12 h, there are plenty of 14H LPSO lamellas formed in WZ42 alloy and many nano-scale α-Mg slices generated between 18R phases. In contrast, the 18R in WZN411 alloy is thermally stable, and both the formation of α-Mg slices and 14H lamellas are restricted for annealed WZN411 alloy. Tensile tests indicate that the as-extruded WZ42 alloy exhibits ultimate tensile strength of 390 MPa, tensile yield strength of 246 MPa and elongation of 2.8% at room temperature. With the replacement of 1 at% Ni, the UTS and TYS of WZN411 alloy increase by 20 MPa and the ductility improves as well. The improvement of comprehensive mechanical properties could be ascribed to the substitution of 1 at% Ni element, which could enhance the degree of solid-solution strengthening and stimulate the thermal stability of 18R phase during annealing and extrusion processes.