Volume 5, No. 4 , December 2017
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Effects of Rare Earth Neodymium on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Ce-Zn-Zr Alloy

Mohd Zaidi Hamzah1, R. Ahmad1, M. B. A. Asmael 1, Z. M. Sheggaf 2
1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia.
2. Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat Johor, Malaysia.
Abstract: The effects of (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt.%) rare earth Neodymium, Nd addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-Ce-Zn-Zr alloy (base alloy) were investigated. The solidification as cast microstructures and phase constitution were characterized by using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Tensile properties of the investigated alloys were measured by tensile test including yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation. Results indicated that the solidification microstructures of Nd-containing alloys are mainly consists of two phases, α-Mg and (Mg, Zn)12(Ce, Nd) phase. Nd addition led to significant grain refinement and increased volume fraction of (Mg, Zn)12(Ce, Nd) phases. Furthermore, Nd addition significantly decreased the average grain size of as-cast base alloys by approximately 19.68%. Both yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of Nd-containing alloys also increased, whereas significantly detrimental to elongation which decreased by 19.7%.

Key words: magnesium alloy, rare earth, neodymium, microstructure, tensile propertie.

Cite:Mohd Zaidi Hamzah, R. Ahmad, M. B. A. Asmael, Z. M. Sheggaf, "Effects of Rare Earth Neodymium on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Ce-Zn-Zr Alloy," International Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 133-139, December 2017. doi: 10.17706/ijmse.2017.5.4.133-139
 

General Information

ISSN: 2315-4527 (Print)
Abbreviated Title: Int. J. Mater. Sci. Eng.
Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr. Muhammad Yahaya
DOI: 10.17706/ijmse
Abstracting/ Indexing: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, Google Scholar, Crossref
E-mail: ijmse@iap.org