Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-10Ho-0.6Zr-xNd alloys

Mg-10Ho-0.6Zr-xNd (x=0, 1, 3 and 5, mass fraction, %) alloys were prepared by metal mould casting, and the microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show that the grain size of as-cast alloys reduces and the hardness and strength increase with the increase of Nd content. The alloys are aged followed by solid solution treatment. Mg-10Ho-0.6Zr-3Nd and Mg-10Ho-0.6Zr-5Nd alloys exhibit obvious age hardening response. The hardness value of Mg-10Ho-0.6Zr-5Nd alloy increases from HV104 at as-cast state to HV136 at peak-aged state. The maximum ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the Mg-10Ho-0.6Zr-5Nd alloy are obtained in at peak-aged state, and the values are 323 MPa, 212 MPa at room temperature, and 258 MPa, 176 MPa at 250 °C, respectively. The improvement of the tensile strength is mainly attributed to the fine and dispersively distributed plate-shaped β' metastable phase.