Properties of sand-cast magnesium alloys part viii: foundry characteristics of magnesium-zinc-silver-zirconium casting alloys

In continuation of earlier work, additional casting alloys were developed in the magnesium-zinc-silver-zirconium system to achieve the optimum combination of mechanical properties and foundry characteristics. In particular, some work was directed to the production of thin-walled premium-quality castings. The effects of section thickness, heavy chilling, and hot water quenching after solution treatment on the mechanical properties of high-strength magnesium casting alloys were investigated. Results of a study of foundry characteristics, including hot tearing, fluidity (castability), susceptibility to microshrinkage, linear shrinkage and density, are reported. It was found that alloy ZQ91-T6 shows great promise for applications in more complex, and especially in thin-walled castings.