Effect of microstructures and texture development on tensile properties of Mg-10Gd-3Y alloy

In this study, influence of microstructures and texture development induced by hot-extrusion and/or heat treatments as T4, T5 and T6 on tensile properties of the Mg-10Gd-3Y magnesium alloys was investigated. The results show that obvious changes have taken place in microstructure, texture and tensile properties of the studied alloy after hot extrusion and/or heat treatments. The as-extruded and three aging-treated alloys exhibit an ED// < 1 0 (1) over bar 0 > fiber texture. While the fiber texture almost completely disappeared after T4 and T6 heat treatments. Aging treatments especially peak-aging can significantly improve the tensile strength and hardness of as-extruded alloy but at the cost of decreasing elongation. In contrast, T4 and T6 heat treatments are detrimental to the tensile properties and hardness of as-extruded alloy. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.