Solidification behavior, microstructure and tensile properties of ZK60-Er magnesium alloys

ZK60-Er （erbium） alloys were made by melting ZK60 and Mg-Er magnesium alloys （20 wt.% Er） in an electric resistance furnace. The contents of Er were 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 wt.%, respectively. The influence of Er on solidification behavior, microstructure, corrosion resistant and mechanical properties of ZK60 magnesium alloy was studied. The results showed that long rod-like γ phase （ErZn5） formed during solidification increased with increasing Er content in the range investigated, which resulted in the decrease of the amount of galvanic couplings between phase particles and alloy matrix and the marked improvement of corrosion resistant. It was also found that elongation of the alloys decreased with increasing Er content, but tensile strength of the alloys were improved by the addition of Er due to the strengthening effect of γ phases distributing along grain boundaries.