The investigation of microstructure and high temperature mechanical properties of novel Mg-Al-Sn-Ce alloy produced by HPDC

Different weight ratios of cerium (0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%) were produced in a controlled atmosphere by High Pressure Die Cast method to Mg-6Al-0.3Mn-1Sn alloy. The influence of cerium on microstructure and high-temperature mechanical properties was investigated. The microstructure study revealed that the main alloy contains intermetallic phases such as α-Mg, β- Mg17Al12, Mg2Sn and Al11Ce3. The hardness values of the alloys were increased with the addition of 0.5%, 1 and 2 cerium. With the addition of 0.5 wt.% Ce, the yield strength increased to 145 MPa. With the addition of 2 wt.% of Ce, it was found to be 160 MPa with an increase of 14%. Tensile strength was obtained as 190 MPa. Elevated temperature tensile test was carried out at 120°C, 180°C and 240°C, to all the alloys. It was found that increased Ce ratio increased the high-temperature mechanical strength. At 120°C, the highest tensile and yield strength values were obtained with 159 MPa and 147 MPa, respectively, in the alloy with 2% wt. cerium added. In the tensile test performed at 180°C, the highest tensile and yield strength were measured as 91 MPa and 77 MPa, respectively. The operating temperature of Mg alloys produced industrially by HPDC has a significant effect on mechanical properties. High operating temperatures reduce mechanical properties. However, the mechanical properties at high test temperatures were increased by the addition of Ce metal to the AM60-1Sn-XCe alloy produced with HPDC.