Effect of trace Al and Ca co-addition and solution treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-10Gd alloys

To reduce the density and cost while improving the ductility of Mg-Gd system alloys, a total of 2 wt% Al and Ca were added to an Mg-10Gd alloy for partial substituting Gd element. The prepared alloys were subjected to solution treatment at 500 & DEG;C for several hours, and the variations in microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. To reveal the effect of the combined addition of Al and Ca on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-10Gd alloys, Mg-10Gd alloys containing the same amount of Al or Ca were also fabricated and characterized. By comparison, it was found that only the co-addition of Al and Ca simultaneously improved the hardness, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the Mg-10Gd system alloys in both as-cast and solid solution states.