Compressive deformation behavior at room temperature – 773 K in Mg–0.2 mass%(0.035at.%)Ce alloy

Ce is an efficient additive element because Ce addition makes Mg cold-workable. In the present work, compressive properties of Mg–0.2 mass%(0.035 at.%)Ce alloy were investigated at room temperature – 773 K to understand the effects of Ce on deformation mechanisms. Ductility at room temperature was increased by Ce addition, but it decreased at 573 K. Thus, the very small Ce addition of 0.035 at.% strongly affected the mechanical properties of Mg. The unique behavior of the Mg–Ce alloy was related to homogeneous deformation due to non-basal slips, although the c/a ratio of the Mg–Ce alloy was the same as that of pure Mg. It is therefore suggested that the change in atomic binding states caused by Ce addition plays an important role in deformation mechanisms.