Metallographic preparation methods for the Mg based system Mg-Al-Ca and its Laves phases

The Mg-Al-Ca system has been shown to be a promising alloy system since it combines the low density of Mg with a high creep resistance at high alloying contents and a high ductility for dilute alloys, while simultaneously avoiding the requirement of alloying with costly rare earth elements. Nevertheless, the adequate preparation of the alloy system for subsequent microstructural, mechanical, electrochemical and defect analysis is challenging. Therefore, within this publication, we present and apply methods for the structural, mechanical, electrochemical and defect analysis with a focus on the corresponding required metallographic preparation methods in order to support research on the alloy system.