Enhanced mechanical properties and formability of hot-rolled Mg-Zn-Mn alloy by Ca and Sm alloying

In order to broaden the application of wrought Mg alloy sheets in the automotive industry, the influence of Ca and Sm alloying on the texture evolution, mechanical properties, and formability of a hot-rolled Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy was investigated by OM, XRD, SEM, EBSD, tensile tests, and Erichsen test. The results showed that the average grain size and basal texture intensity of Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloys were remarkably decreased after Ca and Sm additions. 0.64 wt.% Ca or 0.48 wt.% Sm addition significantly increased the tensile strength, ductility and formability. Moreover, the synergetic addition of Sm and Ca improved the ductility and formability of Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy, which was due to the change of Ca distribution and further reduction of the size of Ca-containing particles by Sm addition. The results provided a possibility of replacing RE elements with Ca and Sm in Mg alloys which bring about outstanding mechanical properties and formability.