Microstructure and mechanical properties of as-quenched Mg-Gd-Zr alloys

Mg-xGd-0.6Zr (x=2, 4, 6, mass fraction) alloys were prepared by semi-continuous casting process. The effects of Gd content on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-xGd-0.6Zr alloys were studied and the solid solution treatment process of Mg-6Gd-0.6Zr alloys was optimized. The microstructures and mechanical properties of all the studied alloys were analyzed by optical microscope, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscope and micro-hardness tester. The results show that the grain size slightly decreases with increasing Gd content and there is a close linear relationship between Gd content and micro-hardness of Mg-xGd-0.6Zr alloys. The second phases Mg2Gd and Mg3Gd formed due to non-equilibrium solidification during the casting process can be transformed into equilibrium phase Mg5.05Gd which can dissolve into a-Mg solid solution phase at solution temperature of 460 °C. The optimized solid solution treatment of Mg-6Gd-0.6Zr alloy is (300 °C, 6 h) + (460 °C, 10 h).