Effect of Bi Addition on Thermal Stability and Tensile Ductility of Mg-3%Zn-0.4%Zr Alloy

Thermal stability of  grains and tensile ductilities at room and elevated temperatures were investigated and compared for Mg-3%Zn-0.4%Zr and Mg-3%Zn-0.4%Zr-1%Bi alloys in hot-rolled state. The Bi-added alloy showed slightly finer-grained microstructure with enhanced thermal stability, which is closely associated with fine Mg-Bi compounds acting as obstacles for the migration of grain boundaries. The Mg-3%Zn-0.4%Zr-1%Bi alloy exhibited better tensile strength at room temperature and tensile ductilities at elevated temperature. Finer and more homogeneous grain structure with higher thermal stability would be responsible for the enhanced tensile properties in the Bi-added alloy.