Rapidly solidified Mg-Al-Zn-rare earth alloys

• Published in: Journal of materials engineering Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 141 - 146
• Main Authors: CHANG, C. F, DAS, S. K, RAYBOULD, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer-Verlag 01.06.1987
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Metals, semimetals and alloys; Metals. Metallurgy; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Physics; Solidification; Specific materials; Scanning electron microscopy; Lanthanide; Impurity; Ductility; Mechanical property; Aircraft industry; Precipitate; Aeronautic industry; Solidification; Corrosion resistance; Transmission electron microscopy; Lanthanides; Mechanical characteristic; Automobile industry; Microstructure; Strength
• ISSN: 0931-7058
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02833703

Among the light metal alloys, magnesium is the lightest structural material except for beryllium, and yet Mg alloys have not seen extensive use because of their poor strength and corrosion resistance. Rapid solidification technology offers a possible solution to these problems. A number of Mg--Al--Zn alloys containing rare earth (RE) elements (e.g. Ce, Pr, yttrium, and Nd) have been investigated using rapid solidification processing for possible structural applications. The processing consists of planar flow or jet casting into ribbons, pulverization of ribbon to powder, and consolidation of powder into bulk shapes. The mechanical properties of some of these alloys show attractive combinations of strength (UTS approx 513 MPa), ductility (tensile elongation approx 5%) and corrosion resistance (corrosion rate of 11 mg/dm exp 2 /day (mdd) in 3% NaCl solution). The microstructures of these alloys are correlated with their mechanical properties. The rapidly solidified Mg--Al--Zn--RE alloys show great potential for applications in automotive and aerospace industries. 7 ref.--AA