Comparative studies on as-cast microstructures and mechanical properties between Mg−3Ce−1.2Mn−0.9Sc and Mg−3Ce−1.2Mn−1Zn magnesium alloys
(1. Materials Science and Engineering College, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Automobile Components Manufacturing and Testing Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China;
3. National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China)
2. Key Laboratory of Automobile Components Manufacturing and Testing Technology of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China;
3. National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China)
Abstract: The as-cast microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg−3Ce−1.2Mn−0.9Sc and Mg−3Ce−1.2Mn−1Zn magnesium alloys were investigated and compared. The results indicate that the Sc-containing alloy mainly consists of α-Mg, Mg12Ce and Mn2Sc phases, and the Zn-containing alloy is mainly composed of α-Mg and Mg12Ce phases. The morphologies of the Mg12Ce phases in the two as-cast alloys are different. The Mg12Ce phases in the Sc- and Zn-containing alloys mainly exhibit particle-like shapes and continuous and/or quasti-continuous nets, respectively. Furthermore, the grains of the Sc-containing alloy are finer than those of the Zn-containing alloy. In addition, the Sc- and Zn-containing alloys have similar as-cast tensile properties at room temperature and 300 °C. However, the Sc-containing alloy exhibits higher creep-resistant properties at 300 °C and 30 MPa for 100 h than the Zn-containing alloy.
Key words: magnesium alloy; Mg−Ce−Mn based alloys; Sc; Zn; Mg12Ce phase