Weibull statistical analysis of the effect of melt conditioning on the mechanical properties of AM60 alloy

The mechanical properties of the standard tensile samples of AM60 Mg-alloy obtained by conventional high pressure die casting (HPDC) and by melt conditioned high pressure die casting (MC-HPDC) have been assessed with the Weibull statistical model in association with the microstructural features, porosity levels and fracture morphology. It is found that three-parameter Weibull analysis is capable of evaluating the mechanical properties of AM60 magnesium alloy and assessing the improvement in the mechanical properties with melt conditioning in die casting process. The increased values of Weibull characteristic parameters show improvement in the strength and ductility of the AM60 alloy with melt conditioning. The reduced porosity levels and the improved microstructural uniformity in the die castings are found to be responsible for the improvement of the mechanical properties and the variation of the characteristic parameters in Weibull statistical distribution.