Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Sn alloy fabricated by a centrifugal casting method

Mg-5Sn alloy are successfully fabricated by a horizontal centrifugal casting method. Developed columnar dendritic crystals under the gravity casting condition can be mostly transformed into fine equiaxed grains by the centrifugal casting. Compared with the gravity casting, compression strength, yield strength and elongation-to-failure are significantly improved by the centrifugal casting, which increase from 181.6 to 257.5 MPa, 38.7 to 52.3 MPa and 14.9% to 21.2% on position r(1) (centrifugal radius r(1) =0.05 m), respectively. Moreover, the centrifugal casting also enhances work-hardening ability of the alloy. The transformation of crystals results in the enhancement of the compression properties and work-hardening ability. The results obtained here will shed some light on special casting methods of Mg alloys, which is potential to develop new light alloys with high strength and elongation. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.