The role of the Mg₁₇Al₁₂-phase in the high-pressure die-cast magnesium-aluminum alloy system

The Mg₁₇Al₁₂ β-phase is highly influential to the performance of magnesium-aluminum high-pressure die-casting alloys. Numerous studies have investigated the effect of this phase on the room temperature and elevated-temperature mechanical properties as well as the corrosion, flammability, thermal conductivity and castability performance. This work summarizes the results of these works, as well as the studies that describe control of the Mg₁₇Al₁₂-phase through alloying additions that modify the microstructure and resulting alloy performance. The results of this work can be used as a basis for the development of alloying additions that enable modifications to the performance of high-pressure die-cast magnesium-aluminum-based alloys.