Effect of Ca and Y additions on oxidation behavior of AZ91 alloy at elevated temperatures

In order to develop the ignition-proof magnesium alloy, the effect of alloying elements, Ca and Y, on the oxidation behavior of AZ91 magnesium alloy at elevated temperatures was investigated. The ignition-proof performance, oxide products and oxidation kinetics of Ca- and Y-containing AZ91 alloys were studied. The results indicate that the proper addition of Ca can increase the ignition point of AZ91 alloy greatly. However, the oxide film of Ca-bearing AZ91 alloy formed at elevated temperature is thick and brittle, which is prone to crack in melting and cooling process. In addition, the oxide film of AZ91-xCa alloy is incompact and cannot inhibit the diffusion of reaction particles. The oxide film of AZ91-xCa alloy turns to thin and plastic one after Y is added, and the density of the oxide film increases greatly due to the formation of composite oxide film composed of MgO, CaO and Y2O3.