Effects of little Ce addition on as-cast microstructure and creep properties of Mg-3Sn-2Ca magnesium alloy
(1. Materials Science and Engineering College, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400050, China;
2. Materials Science and Engineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China;
3. Corrosion and Protection Center, School of Materials, Manchester University, M60 1QD, United Kingdom)
2. Materials Science and Engineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China;
3. Corrosion and Protection Center, School of Materials, Manchester University, M60 1QD, United Kingdom)
Abstract: The effects of little Ce addition on the as-cast microstructure and creep properties of Mg-3Sn-2Ca magnesium alloy were investigated. The results indicate that adding 0.5% (mass fraction) Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy does not cause the formation of any new phase in the alloy. However, an interesting microstructural change in the as-cast Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy added with 0.5%Ce is observed. After adding 0.5%Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy, not only the volume fraction of CaMgSn phase in the alloy is decreased but also the CaMgSn phases in the alloy are refined. In addition, adding 0.5%Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy can also improve the creep-resistant properties of the alloy. After adding 0.5%Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy, the second creep rate of the alloy at 150 ℃ and 70 MPa for 100 h changes from 3.28×10−8 to 1.81×10−8 s−1.
Key words: magnesium alloy; Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy; CaMgSn phase; Ce