Strengthening of Mg–Al–Ca alloys with C15 and C36 Laves phases

Abstract Laves phases such as CaMg 2 (C14), Ca(Al,Mg) (C36), and CaAl (C15) have high melting points, hardness at room elevated temperatures, but are inherently brittle. Cast Mg–Al–Ca alloys having phase skeleton thus good creep properties limited ductility. An understanding of the co-deformation behaviour α-Mg is essential for further improving mechanical performance these alloys. Here, we study a Mg–4.65Al–2.82Ca alloy using micropillar compression in matrix, α-Mg/C36 α-Mg/C15 interfaces C15 combination with scanning electron microscopy. We show that both, C36 phases, provide considerable strengthening to matrix. The amount primarily depends on volume fraction geometry composite micropillars correlates well iso-strain iso-stress bounds predicted composites. Graphical