Effects of Gd on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-3Sn Alloys

Abstract

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-3Sn-xGd (x=0, 0.2, 1 wt.%) alloys were studied by using OM, SEM, EDX, XRD etc. With the increase of Gd, the formation of Mg2Sn phase was impeded and the MgSnGd phase formed and the volume fraction of this new phase obviously increased. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure increased with dilute Gd addition but sharply decreased when the Gd addition comes to 1.34 wt.%. The possible reasons for the variation in microstructure and mechanical properties were discussed.