Abstract: Mechanical properties of Mg-Al based alloys at different fabrication state, namely as-cast, hot rolled, and annealed, were investigated to develop the alloys that are suitable for the casting/hot working process. Experimental results indicated that the castability such as hot cracking resistance tends to improve with increasing the aluminum content. However, the elongation at elevated temperatures was observed to decrease as the Al content increases, implying difficulties in hot forming. A small amount of Zr additions could significantly enhance the room temperature mechanical properties of hot-rolled Mg-6%Al-1%Zn alloy. The tendency of remarkable grain coarsening at high temperatures was effectively reduced by the Zr additions. TEM analyses suggested that very fine Al3Zr precipitates formed in the Zr-added alloy are responsible for the obtained results.

Key words: Magnesium, Casting, Forming, Tensile properties