Strengthening mechanisms of indirect-extruded Mg–Sn based alloys at room temperature

The strength of a material is dependent on how dislocations in its crystal lattice can be easily propagated. These dislocations create stress fields within the material depending on their intrinsic character. Generally, the following strengthening mechanisms are relevant in wrought magnesium materials tested at room temperature: fine-grain strengthening, precipitate strengthening and solid solution strengthening as well as texture strengthening. The indirect-extruded Mg–8Sn (T8) and Mg–8Sn–1Al–1Zn (TAZ811) alloys present superior tensile properties compared to the commercial AZ31 alloy extruded in the same condition. The contributions to the strengthen of Mg–Sn based alloys made by four strengthening mechanisms were calculated quantitatively based on the microstructure characteristics, physical characteristics, thermomechanical analysis and interactions of alloying elements using AZ31 alloy as benchmark.