Effects of minor Zr and Sr on as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc (wt.%) magnesium alloy

The effects of minor Zr and Sr on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc (wt.%) alloy were investigated by using optical and electron microscopies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and tensile and creep tests. The results indicate that adding minor Zr and/or Sr to the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc alloy does not cause an obvious change in the morphology and distribution of the Mg12Ce phase. However, the grains of the Zr and/or Sr-containing alloys are effectively refined. Among the Zr and/or Sr-containing alloys, the grains of the alloy with the addition of 0.5 wt.%Zr + 0.1 wt.%Sr are the finest, followed by the alloys with the additions of 0.5 wt.%Zr and 0.1 wt.%Sr, respectively. In addition, small additions of Zr and/or Sr can improve the tensile and creep properties of the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc alloy. Among the Zr and/or Sr-containing alloys, the alloy with the addition of 0.5 wt.%Zr + 0.1 wt.%Sr obtains the optimum tensile and creep properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.