Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-6Al-4RE-0.4Mn alloy

Mg-6Al-4RE-0.4Mn (mass fraction, %, RE=Ce rich mischmetal) alloy was prepared by steel mould casting technique. Solid solution and artificial aging (T6) were carried out. The microstructure and mechanical properties of both as-cast and T6 treated alloys were investigated at room temperature and 423 K. It is found that the intermetallic compounds of the as-cast and T6 treated alloys were mainly composed of Al11RE3, Mg17Al12 and Al6REMn6. The Vickers hardness (Hv) of the as-cast alloy is 63 and it increases to 70 after T6 heat treatment. T6 heat treatment plays a slight role in the tensile properties at room temperature, but the yield strength and elongation of T6 state at 423 K are distinctly improved. The yield strength and elongation of the as-cast alloy at 423 K are 71 MPa and 18%, respectively, and the values increase after T6 heat treatment, which is attributed to Al11RE3,Mg17Al12 and Al6REMn6 precipitates that impede the dislocation movement and gliding of grain boundaries effectively.