Study on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-Sn-Nd alloys

Microstructure, tensile properties and compressive creep behaviors of Mg-(1.65–11.52) wt.% Sn-2 wt.% Nd alloys were studied in this paper. The microstructure of the as-cast Mg-Sn-Nd alloys consisted of dendritic α-Mg, Mg 2Sn and Mg-Sn-Nd ternary phase containing rare earth element. The highest ultimate tensile strength of 140 MPa and percentage elongation after fracture of 9.7%, were achieved with a composition of Mg-8.23 wt.% Sn-2 wt.% Nd. The compressive creep resistance of Mg-8.23 wt.%Sn-2 wt.% Nd alloy was much better than other alloys at 200 °C for applied load of 35 MPa, which was mainly due to the formation of dispersive heat-resistance Mg 2Sn and Mg-Sn-Nd intermetallic compounds.