Effects of Cerium Addition on the Microstructure, Mechanical Property and Creep Behavior of AM60B Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

The effects of cerium addition on the microstructure, mechanical property and creep behavior of AM60B alloy were investigated. The results indicate a little Ce addition can refine the microstructure, and with the increase of Ce addition, intermetallic compound Mg₁₇Al₁₂ formation in AM60B was restricted and substituted by new intermetallic compound Al₁₁Ce₃. Ce was beneficial to the mechanical property of AM60B except for elongation when Ce addition is further increased. The high temperature stability of AM60B is poor owing to the precipitation of Mg₁₇Al₁₂. With the addition of Ce, the creep property of AM60B was improved notably, mainly due to the stability of intermetallic Al₁₁Ce₃ at high temperature.