Microstructures and properties of Mg–7Gd alloy containing Y

Mg–7 mass%Gd–x mass%Y (x = 0, 1, 3 and 5) alloys were prepared by casting method, and the microstructures, age hardening behavior and mechanical properties have been investigated. The results show that the addition of Y to the binary Mg–7Gd alloy could reduce the grain size of the as-cast alloys, and enhance the age hardening response and improve mechanical properties during the investigated temperature range. The Mg–7Gd–5Y alloy exhibits maximum ultimate tensile strength and yield strength at peak hardness, and the values are 258 and 167 MPa at room temperature, and 212 and 140 MPa at 250 °C, respectively, which is about 1.8 times as high as the Mg–7Gd binary alloy. When x is more than 3, the amount of Mg5(Gd,Y) phase is observed at the peak hardness of aged alloys. The significant improvement of the tensile strength at peak hardness is mainly attributed to the fine dispersion of the β-Mg5(Gd,Y) precipitate.