Effect of Gd–Ca combined additions on the microstructure and creep properties of Mg–7Al–1Si alloys

•The effect of compound addition of Ca and Gd on the microstructure and creep properties of Mg–7Al–1Si alloys was investigated.•After adding 1wt.% of (Ca+Gd), the creep strain and steady-state creep rate were reduced by about 80% and 84%, respectively.•After adding 1wt.% of (Ca+Gd), the creep properties of Mg–7Al–1Si alloys were superior to that containing single Gd additive.•The improvement of creep properties after compound addition of Gd and Ca is a result of multiple factors. The microstructure and creep properties of Mg–7Al–1Si alloys with combined additions of alkaline earth element Ca and rare earth element (RE) Gd were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and compressive creep tests. It was found that the combined additions of Ca and Gd contributed to grain refinement, modification of the morphology of coarse Chinese script Mg2Si phase, and reduction of β-Mg17Al12 content. Mg–7Al–1Si alloys containing 1wt.% compound modifier (0.5wt.% Gd+0.5wt.% Ca) exhibited the minimal steady-state creep rate, and were even superior to Mg–7Al–1Si alloys containing single Gd addition. The great improvement of creep properties is mainly attributed to the reduction in the amount and continuity of eutectic β-Mg17Al12 phase, morphology modification of Mg2Si phase, solution strengthening of Gd, as well as the formation of thermally stable intermetallic Al2Gd, which acted as an effective barrier against grain boundary sliding and dislocation movement.