SEDL / STP / STP287-EB / STP46977S

Some Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Alloys at Low Temperatures

Reed, R. P.
Physical Metallurgist, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo.

Mikesell, R. P.
Physicist, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo.

Greeson, R. L.
Metallographic Technician, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo.

Pages: 13    Published: Jan 1961

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Abstract

Magnesium alloys are approximately one fifth as dense as stainless steels, copper alloys, and nickel alloys, and two thirds as dense as aluminum alloys. Because they are light, it is desirable that some magnesium alloys be added to the growing list of cryogenic construction materials. For this reason, the mechanical properties in tension and impact of six representative magnesium alloys were tested at four temperatures: 300, 195, 76, and 20 K. The six alloys were sheet AZ31B-0, ZE10A-H11 and H10, HM-21A-T8, and HK31A-0; sand-cast HX-31A-T6; and extruded HM31A-F. Both macrophotographs and microphotographs were taken to indicate deformation and fracture characteristics.