Influence of cerium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZA104 and ZA104 + 0.3Ca magnesium alloys

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing, 2010-11, Vol.527 (29), p.7519-7529
• Main Authors: Tardif, S., Tremblay, R., Dubé, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloying additive; Applied sciences; Ca–Ce additions; Cerium base alloys; Creep; Creep (materials); Creep properties; Creep strength; Elasticity. Plasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Magnesium alloys; Magnesium base alloys; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Mg–Zn–Al alloys; Microstructure; Phase morphology; Phases; Solidification; Tensile properties; Yield strength
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2010.08.082

▶ Two new cerium-rich phases were identified (Al 5Zn 3Ce 2 and Al 6Zn 2Ce 2). ▶ Phase morphologies were characterized. ▶ Microhardness of phases was determined. ▶ Cerium improves YS and creep resistance at 175 °C. The influence of cerium addition on tensile and creep properties of ZA104 and ZA104 + 0.3Ca magnesium alloys containing between 0 wt.% and 3.5 wt.% Ce were evaluated and compared to those of AZ91D alloy. It was shown that cerium slightly decreases the ductility but increases the yield strength of ZA104 alloy. The influence of cerium on room temperature properties remains modest for concentration up to 2.6 wt.% in ZA104 + 0.3Ca alloy. The creep strength of the ZA104 alloy is clearly improved by the addition of a minor amount of cerium. But this effect is much less pronounced for ZA104 + 0.3Ca alloy. Variations of the properties of alloys were discussed considering the presence of two new intermetallic phases (Al 5Zn 3Ce 2 and Al 6Zn 2Ce 2) in the microstructure and also the reactions that occurred during solidification.