Role of multi-microalloying by rare earth elements in ductilization of magnesium alloys

The present work investigates the influences of microalloying with rare earths on the mechanical properties of magnesium alloys. The amount of each rare earth element is controlled below 0.4 wt.% in order not to increase the cost of alloy largely. The synergic effects from the multi-microalloying with rare earths on the mechanical properties are explored. The obtained results show that the as-cast magnesium alloys multi-microalloying with rare earths possesses a quite high ductility with a tensile strain up to 25–30% at room temperature. Moreover, these alloys exhibit much better corrosion resistance than AZ31 alloy. The preliminary in situ neutron diffractions on the deformation of these alloys indicate that the multi-microalloying with rare earths seems to be beneficial for the activation of more slip systems. The deformation becomes more homogeneous and the resultant textures after deformation are weakened.