The investigation of microstructure and high temperature mechanical properties of novel Mg-Al-Sn-Ce alloy produced by HPDC

Abstract

Different weight ratios of cerium (0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%) were produced in a controlled atmosphere by High Pressure Die Cast method to Mg-6Al-0.3Mn-1Sn alloy. The influence of cerium on microstructure and high-temperature mechanical properties was investigated. The microstructure study revealed that the main alloy contains intermetallic phases such as alpha-Mg, beta- Mg17Al12, Mg2Sn and Al11Ce3. The hardness values of the alloys were increased with the addition of 0.5%, 1 and 2 cerium. With the addition of 0.5 wt.% Ce, the yield strength increased to 145 MPa. With the addition of 2 wt.% of Ce, it was found to be 160 MPa with an increase of 14%. Tensile strength was obtained as 190 MPa. Elevated temperature tensile test was carried out at 120 degrees C, 180 degrees C and 240 degrees C, to all the alloys. It was found that increased Ce ratio increased the high-temperature mechanical strength. At 120 degrees C, the highest tensile and yield strength values were obtained with 159 MPa and 147 MPa, respectively, in the alloy with 2% wt. cerium added. In the tensile test performed at 180 degrees C, the highest tensile and yield strength were measured as 91 MPa and 77 MPa, respectively. The operating temperature of Mg alloys produced industrially by HPDC has a significant effect on mechanical properties. High operating temperatures reduce mechanical properties. However, the mechanical properties at high test temperatures were increased by the addition of Ce metal to the AM60-1Sn-XCe alloy produced with HPDC.