Fabrication and mechanical characterization of the Mg-Zn-RE/Al1050 clad sheet

The Mg-Zn-RE alloy cladded with the thin Al1050 sheet was fabricated by means of a roll bonding process at 280°C. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the clad sheets were investigated. After heat treatment at 230°C for 30 min, an Mg-rich diffusion layer with about 2 μm in thickness was developed at the Mg and Al interface. Tensile tests were carried out in a temperature range up to 300°C. The clad sheet exhibits superior elongation to failure not only at room temperature but also at elevated temperatures compared with those of the Mg alloy sheet. For the deformed specimens, interface debonding does not occur and the diffusion layer shows only a few cracks.