Solid solution strengthening in polycrystals of Mg-Sn binary alloys

Solid solution effects on the hardness and flow stress in Mg-Sn binary alloys with Sn content between 0.18% and 2.18% at temperatures ranging from ambient to 623 K were investigated in this study. At room temperature, the hardness increases with the Sn content as H-v0.5 = 28.3 + 6.88c, the 0.2% proof strength (corrected for grain size strengthening effect) and c(n) follow a linear relationship, where c is the solute atom fraction and n = 1/2 or 2/3. The results suggest that the strengthening of basal planes controls the solid solution strengthening in polycrystals of Mg-Sn binary alloys. However, the c(n) power-law is not applicable in the temperature range from 423 K to 623 K, which is proposed to be ascribed to the competition between solid solution strengthening and softening effect. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.