DefinePK

Abstract

The effects of 3 wt.% heavy rare earth Gadolinium (Gd) addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties (Hardness) of as-cast Mg-Zn-Ce-Zr alloy (base alloy) were investigated using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Vickers hardness. The purpose of this research is to investigate the variations occurred in grain size and the formation of intermetallics with Gd addition, as well as their effect on hardness. The results of microstructure indicated that Gd addition led to significant grain refinement, which decreased by 28%. Both grain refinement and hard secondary phases (Mg,Zn)12RE and (Mg,Zn)3RE led to the improvement in hardness of Mg-Zn-Ce-Zr by 34%.