Effects of little Ce addition on as-cast microstructure and creep properties of Mg-3Sn-2Ca magnesium alloy

The effects of little Ce addition on the as-cast microstructure and creep properties of Mg-3Sn-2Ca magnesium alloy were investigated. The results indicate that adding 0.5% (mass fraction) Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy does not cause the formation of any new phase in the alloy. However, an interesting microstructural change in the as-cast Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy added with 0.5%Ce is observed. After adding 0.5%Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy, not only the volume fraction of CaMgSn phase in the alloy is decreased but also the CaMgSn phases in the alloy are refined. In addition, adding 0.5%Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy can also improve the creep-resistant properties of the alloy. After adding 0.5%Ce to Mg-3Sn-2Ca alloy, the second creep rate of the alloy at 150 °C and 70 MPa for 100 h changes from 3.28×10−8 to 1.81×10−8 s−1.