Effects of 0.5 wt.% Nd Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of As-Extruded and Aged Mg-6Al-3Sn-2Zn Alloys

• Published in: Journal of materials engineering and performance 2023-03, Vol.32 (6), p.2635-2645
• Main Authors: Wang, Sen, Gao, Fu-Hao, Lv, Bin-Jiang, Cui, Ning, Guo, Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Corrosion and Coatings; Engineering Design; Materials Science; Quality Control; Reliability; Safety and Risk; Technical Article; Tribology
• ISSN: 1059-9495; 1544-1024
• DOI: 10.1007/s11665-022-07073-z

The effects of the addition of Nd as a minor alloying element on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-6Al-3Sn-2Zn (ATZ632) alloy were investigated. The results show that the addition of Nd refined the grains and weakened the (0001) basal texture, which increased the elongation (EL) of as-extruded ATZ632-0.5Nd alloy to 22.5%. The appearance of an Al 3 Nd phase consumes Al and reduces the volume fraction of the Mg 17 Al 12 phase in the as-extruded ATZ632-0.5Nd alloy, resulting in relatively minor changes to the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). After aging, Mg 17 Al 12 precipitation improved the YS and UTS of ATZ632-0.5Nd alloy to 242 and 354.9 MPa, respectively. Static recrystallization (SRX) occurred during aging, and the pyramidal slip and < c + a > slip of the grains formed during SRX were activated by Nd, which caused the reorientation of grains undergoing partial SRX to the rare-earth texture.