Effects of strontium on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg–5 wt.%Sn alloy

The strontium (Sr) addition to the Mg–5 wt.%Sn alloy results in grain refinement and the formation of a rod-shaped and a bone-shaped MgSnSr intermetallic phase which are mainly straddle on the grain boundaries. The yield strength is improved, while the tensile strength and elongation first increased, and then decreased with a large addition of Sr. Optimum mechanical properties at ambient temperature are obtained at a content of 2.14 wt.%Sr. Tensile properties of the alloys at elevated temperatures are also improved, and the decrease of strength at elevated temperature slowed down with increasing Sr addition, indicating that Sr can improve the thermal stability of Mg–Sn alloys.