Magnesium alloy having superior elevated-temperature properties and die castability

Abstract

A magnesium based alloy exhibiting superior elevated-temperature properties such as creep resistance and tensile strength and die castability such as reduced hot-cracking and die-sticking, contains about 2 to 9 wt. % aluminum, 6 to 12 wt. % zinc, 0.1 to 2.0 wt. % calcium, optionally 0.2 to 0.5 wt. % manganese, and the balance comprising magnesium. The alloy includes the intermetallic compound Mg--Al--Zn--Ca at the grain boundaries of the magnesium crystals. The alloy according to this invention may have a creep extension of less than about 0.6% at the tensile stress of about 35 MPa and the temperature of about 150.degree. C., and a tensile yield strength of at least 110 MPa at the temperature of about 150.degree. C. The alloy is particularly useful in die casting applications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.