Exploiting low levels of rare earth addition in Mg extrusion alloys

The present work examines the extrusion and mechanical properties of MExlOO alloys, which contain levels of rare earth alloying additions up to 0.4 wt%. It is shown that these alloys can display the high extrudability of alloy Ml with strengths nearing those of AZ31. Most importantly, the grades display high room temperature ductility; values of total tensile elongation as high as 30% have been observed. These benefits derive from a combination of grain refinement and texture weakening.