Solution and ageing heat treatments of ZK60 magnesium alloys with rare earth additions produced by semi-solid casting

Rare earth elements reportedly improve high temperature strength and creep resistance of Mg alloys. In the present work, ZK60 Mg alloys containing different amounts (0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 wt.%) of rare earth additions were prepared by thixocasting and submitted to solution and ageing heat treatments (T4, T5 and T6). The as-cast and heat treated microstructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and hardness was evaluated as a function of heat treatment parameters. In the as-cast state, the alloys are formed by globular α-Mg grains reinforced by a network of composite Mg-Zn-RE precipitates with either smooth or lamellar/acicular morphologies. Solution of the smooth precipitates took place in alloys containing 0.5 and 1.5wt.%RE for T4-500 ºC but no precipitates were dissolved with T4-380 ºC. The optimum temperature for T5 and T6 was identified as 175 ºC, while T6-500 ºC led to the highest hardness, followed by T5 and T6-380 ºC, respectively. (AU)