Enhancing overall static/dynamic/damping/ignition response of magnesium through the addition of lower amounts (<2%) of yttrium

•Mg- (0.4, 1.0, 1.8 wt %) Y binary alloys were developed using the DMD technique followed by hot extrusion.•A linear trend is established that estimates the ignition temperatures of binary Mg-(0–1.8%) Y alloys.•Enhanced damping characteristics are observed with the progressive addition of Y to Mg.•Significantly higher ductility and energy absorption capabilities are seen in Mg-1.8Y under both tension and compression.•Quasi-static and dynamic compressive responses of low Y containing Mg alloys are investigated.

This study examines Mg-Y binary alloys synthesized using disintegrated melt deposition technique and secondarily processed by hot extrusion. The alloys were subjected to ignition, damping and tensile tests to determine the effect of low Y content addition on the properties of Mg. Further, the alloys were also subjected to low and high strain rates of approximately 8.33 × 10−5 s−1 and 1.3 × 103 s−1 in compression to elucidate the effect of yttrium addition on dynamic response of magnesium. The results of microstructural characterization revealed a progressive reduction in grain size of magnesium with the increasing presence of yttrium. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of Mg-Y phases irrespective of the limited amount of yttrium. Results of mechanical characterization revealed that increasing presence of yttrium leads to an increase in the ignition temperature, micro-hardness, tensile and compressive fracture strain, 0.2% offset compressive yield and ultimate strength and dynamic strengths with the best values obtained for Mg-1.8Y alloy. An attempt is made in this study to inter-relate the microstructural features with the mechanical response of Mg-Y alloys.