Effect of Mn addition on microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Ca alloy

The effect of trace Mn addition on the microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of the as-cast and as-extruded Mg-5.25. wt.% Zn-0.6. wt.% Ca (ZX51) alloys was investigated in this study. Mn addition had a negligible effect on the grain size of the as-cast ZX51 alloy. However, the addition of Mn led to the obvious decrease of grain size in the as-extruded Mg-5.25. wt.% Zn-0.6. wt.% Ca-0.3. wt.% Mn (ZXM510) alloy, because the Mn addition restricted the grain growth during the hot extrusion process. After the addition of Mn, the basal fiber texture with most of {0. 0. 0. 2} planes parallel to the extrusion direction (ED) was significantly enhanced in the as-extruded ZXM510 alloy. Both tensile yield strength (TYS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) were increased in the as-extruded ZXM510 alloy, while the ductility was slightly decreased, which was ascribed to the grain refinement and texture strengthening.