Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-6Al magnesium alloy with yttrium and neodymium

Abstract

The effects of rare earth (RE) elements Y and Nd on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-6Al magnesium alloy were investigated. The results show that a proper level of RE elements can obviously refi ne the microstructure of Mg-6Al magnesium alloys, reduce the quantity of β-Mg17Al12 phase and form Al2Y and Al2Nd phases. The combined addition of Y and Nd dramatically enhances the tensile strength of the alloys in the temperature range of 20-175℃. When the content of RE elements is up to 1.8%, the values of tensile strength at room temperature and at 150℃ simultaneously reach their maximum of 253 MPa and 196 MPa, respectively. The main mechanisms of enhancement in the mechanical properties of Mg-6Al alloy with Y and Nd are the grain refi ning strengthening and the dispersion strengthening.

Keywords

• Y
• Nd
• Mg-6Al magnesium alloy
• microstructure
• elevated mechanical properties