Effects of Minor Zr and Sr on As-Cast Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-4Y-1.2Mn-1Zn (wt.%) Magnesium Alloy

The effects of minor Zr and Sr on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-4Y-1.2Mn-1Zn (wt.%) alloy were investigated using optical and electron microscopies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and tensile and creep tests. The microstructural results indicate that small additions of Zr and/or Sr to the Mg-4Y-1.2Mn-1Zn alloy do not cause an obvious change in the morphology and distribution of the Mg12YZn phase in the alloy. The tensile and creep tests indicate that, although small additions of Zr and/or Sr to the Mg-4Y-1.2Mn-1Zn alloy do not have obvious effects on the creep properties of the alloy, the tensile properties at room temperature and 300 A degrees C for the alloys added with Zr and/or Sr are improved. Among the Zr- and/or Sr-containing alloys, the alloy specifically added with of 0.5 wt.% Zr + 0.1 wt.% Sr obtains the optimum tensile properties, and is followed by the alloys added with 0.5 wt.% Zr and 0.1 wt.% Sr.