Comparison of effects of cerium, yttrium and gadolinium additions on as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Sn-1Mn magnesium alloy

• Published in: Journal of rare earths Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 550 - 557
• Main Author: 杨明波 秦财源 潘复生 周涛
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2011; National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China%Materials Science and Engineering College. Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China%National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; Key Laboratory of Automobile Components Manufacturing and Testing Technology of the Education Ministry, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; Materials Science and Engineering College. Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
• Subjects: Alloying additive; Creep (materials); Gadolinium; magnesium alloy; Magnesium base alloys; Mechanical properties; Mg-Sn-Mn alloy; Microstructure; Rare earth metals; rare earths; Tensile properties; X射线衍射分析; 微观结构; 抗蠕变性能; 拉伸强度; 拉伸性能; 机械性能; 铸态组织; 镁合金; Y; magnesium alloy; Ce; Mg-Sn-Mn alloy; Gd; rare earths
• ISSN: 1002-0721; 2509-4963
• DOI: 10.1016/S1002-0721(10)60496-6

The effects of Ce, Y and Gd additions on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Sn-1Mn alloy were investigated and compared by using optical and electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction analysis, and tensile and creep tests. The results indicated that the microstructure of the Mg-3Sn-1Mn alloy with the addition of 0.87 wt.%Ce was refined while the microstructures of the alloys with the additions of 0.79 wt.%Y or 0.84 wt.%Gd were coarsened. Furthermore, adding 0.87 wt.%Ce to the Mg-3Sn-1Mn alloy could improve the tensile properties while adding 0.79 wt.%Y or 0.84 wt.%Gd gave a detrimental effects on the tensile properties. In addition, adding 0.87 wt.%Ce, 0.79 wt.%Y and 0.84 wt.%Gd to the Mg-3Sn-1Mn alloy could improve the creep properties. Among the three additions, the addition of 0.87 wt.%Ce was more suitable to further improve the strength and creep performance of the Mg-3Sn-1Mn alloy.