Effect of La/Nd ratio on precipitation kinetics and tensile properties of squeeze-cast Mg-Al-Zn-La-Nd alloys

The current study investigated the effect of adding La and Nd on the precipitation kinetics and tensile properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy. Mg-Al-Zn-La-Nd alloys with different WLa/WNd ratios were developed by squeeze casting. Typical characterization was conducted using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to analyze the effect of WLa/WNd on the aging behavior of Mg-Al-Zn-La-Nd alloys. Thermal analysis, Vickers hardness and tensile properties were measured using the differential scanning calorimetry, optical hardness tester and universal testing machine. The results show that the addition of RE increases the diffusion resistance of Al atoms in the matrix and increases the time interval to peak aging. The precipitation activation energy and tensile properties of Mg-Al-Zn-La-Nd alloys increase with the increase of WLa/WNd. The optimal tensile properties are obtained in the alloy with a WLa/WNd of 3/2. [Display omitted]