Quantification of the strengthening effect of rare earth elements during hot deformation of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr magnesium alloy

The flow stress of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr, Mg-Al-Zn, and Mg-Zn-Zr magnesium alloys during hot deformation were correlated to the Zener–Hollomon parameter through analyses based on the proposed physically-based and apparent approaches. It was demonstrated that the theoretical exponent of 5 and the lattice self-diffusion activation energy of magnesium (135 kJ/mol) can be set in the hyperbolic sine law to describe the peak flow stresses. As a result, the influence of rare earth elements, gadolinium (Gd) and yttrium (Y), upon the hot working behavior was readily characterized by the proposed approach, which was not possible by the conventional apparent approach. It was shown quantitatively that the rare earth addition exerts a profound effect on the hot strength and hence on the creep resistance.