Effect of Al content on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-5Nd alloys

Abstract The microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-5Nd- x Al ( x  = 0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4 and 3.0 wt%) were investigated by the optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and uniaxial tension test. The addition of 3.0 wt% Al led to the most significant grain refinement of Mg-5Nd alloy with the reduction of average grain size from 448 μm to 68 μm. The grain refinement was attributed to the formation of Al 2 Nd particles as the Al 2 Nd particles acted as effective grain refiners for the Mg matrix confirmed by XRD analysis, SEM observation, and crystallography calculation. The mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-5Nd alloy increased obviously after the addition of Al. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the as-cast Mg-5Nd-3.0Al alloy were enhanced by about 45.3%, 72.4% and 264.0%, respectively, compared to as-cast Mg-5Nd alloy. The improvement of mechanical properties was mainly ascribed to the refined grains and secondary phase strengthening.