Effects of La and Ce Mixed Rare Earth on Microstructure and Properties of Al-Mg-Si Aluminum Alloy

The effects of La and Ce mixed rare earth on the microstructure and properties of Al-0.75Mg-0.6Si alloy were studied by optical microscopy, digital eddy current conductive instrument and tensile testing machine. Results showed that the addition of La and Ce mixed rare earth had a positive effect on the grain refinement of Al-0.75Mg-0.6Si alloy, which is beneficial to improve the electrical conductivity and strength. With increasing the additive amount of La and Ce mixed rare earth, the electrical conductivity, tensile strength and elongation of Al-0.75Mg-0.6Si alloy gradually increased. When the additive amount of La and Ce mixed rare earth increased to 0.5%, the electrical conductivity of Al-0.75Mg-0.6Si alloy was 55.7% IACS, the tensile strength and elongation of Al-0.75Mg-0.6Si alloy were 236 MPa and 16.7%, respectively. The electrical conductivity increased by 5.7%, tensile strength and elongation increased by 11.3% and 15.2% compared with that of Al-0.75Mg-0.6Si alloy without adding the La and Ce mixed rare earth.