Microstructure, castability, microstructural stability and mechanical properties of ZRE1 magnesium alloy

Abstract

The influence of pouring temperature on the microstructure, fluidity and mechanical properties of ZRE1 magnesium alloy was investigated in this paper. The pouring temperature influences on the fluidity, mean area of grain plane section and mechanical properties. The dependence between pouring temperature and volume fraction of the (Mg, Zn) 12RE intermetallic phase was not observed. The investigations enabled to determine the optimal pouring temperature of ZRE1 alloy. Moreover, the microstructural stability of ZRE1 alloy during long-term annealing at 150°C, 200°C and 400°C was investigated. ZRE1 magnesium alloy possesses a high microstructural stability up to 200°C, whereas at 400°C magnesium oxides and rare earth metals oxides are observed in the microstructure.