Microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of novel Mg-Sn-Ce alloys produced by high pressure die casting

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C 2019-12, Vol.105, p.110064-110064, Article 110064
• Main Authors: Özarslan, Selma, Şevik, Hüseyin, Sorar, İdris
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Alloys - chemistry; Biodegradable magnesium alloys; Biomaterials; Body fluids; Casting alloys; Cerium; Cerium - chemistry; Corrosion; Corrosion properties; Corrosion resistance; Corrosion resistant alloys; Die casting; Elongation; Foundry practice; Grain refinement; High pressure; Immersion tests (corrosion); Intermetallic phases; Magnesium - chemistry; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Microscopy, Electrochemical, Scanning; Microstructure; Pressure; Pressure casting; Pressure die casting; Saline solutions; Scanning electron microscopy; Surface Properties; Tin - chemistry; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.110064

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding 1, 2 and 4% wt of cerium on the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of high pressure die casting (HPDC) Mg-4Sn alloys. Microstructure analyses of the alloys were carried out using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion behaviors were determined with the potentiodynamic polarization and immersion tests in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS), which is used as the artificial body fluid. The microstructural results showed that the addition of Ce to the main alloy creates new intermetallic phases (Ce5Sn4 and MgSnCe). In addition, Ce addition provided effectively the grain refinement of the alloys. While the hardness and yield strength of the Mg-4Sn alloy enhanced continuously with increasing Ce content, the tensile strength and elongation reached up to 2% wt. The corrosion resistance of the main alloy was improved by the addition of 1% wt of Ce. However, the Ce content, which is more than 1% wt decreased corrosion resistance. •Ce addition provided effectively the grain refinement of the alloys and MgSnCe and Ce5Sn4 intermetallic phases were formed.•The yield, tensile strength and elongation value of the Mg-4Sn alloy improved with addition cerium up to 2% wt.•The addition of Ce of 1% wt to the Mg-4Sn alloy increased the corrosion resistance.