Precipitation in magnesium alloys for ductility and strength

Strength and ductility in metals and alloys are frequently inversely correlated in wrought magnesium alloys, and with rare earth additions have been reported to provide good combinations of both these properties. The present work examines the properties of a series of magnesium alloys containing yttrium, gadolinium and zinc. Alloying content was found to have more of an effect on the mechanical properties than the process conditions. In the 5wt.% zinc alloy containing yttrium yield strength increased with recrystallised grain size and percent recrystallisation. The addition of rare earth elements to the magnesium-zinc alloys changed the mechanical behaviour to reducing yield strength with increasing zinc content. © Institute of Materials Engineering Australasia Ltd.