Open AccessUltrahigh specific strength in a magnesium alloy strengthened by spinodal decomposition
Author(s) -
Tongzheng Xin,
Yuhong Zhao,
Reza Mahjoub,
Jiaxi Jiang,
Apurv Yadav,
Keita Nomoto,
Ranming Niu,
Shengqiang Tang,
Jiawei Fan,
Zakaria Quadir,
David M. Miskovic,
John E. Daniels,
Weixing Xu,
Xiaozhou Liao,
Lei Chen,
Koji Hagihara,
Xiaoyan Li,
Simon P. Ringer,
Michael Ferry
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
science advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.928
H-Index - 146
ISSN - 2375-2548
DOI - 10.1126/sciadv.abf3039
Subject(s) - spinodal decomposition , magnesium , alloy , decomposition , materials science , magnesium alloy , spinodal , metallurgy , phase (matter) , chemistry , organic chemistry
Strengthening of magnesium (Mg) is known to occur through dislocation accumulation, grain refinement, deformation twinning, and texture control or dislocation pinning by solute atoms or nano-sized precipitates. These modes generate yield strengths comparable to other engineering alloys such as certain grades of aluminum but below that of high-strength aluminum and titanium alloys and steels. Here, we report a spinodal strengthened ultralightweight Mg alloy with specific yield strengths surpassing almost every other engineering alloy. We provide compelling morphological, chemical, structural, and thermodynamic evidence for the spinodal decomposition and show that the lattice mismatch at the diffuse transition region between the spinodal zones and matrix is the dominating factor for enhancing yield strength in this class of alloy.