Effect of Ca addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-Sm alloys.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of Ca addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-4Sm alloys. The addition of 1.0 wt% Ca led to a significant grain refinement of Mg-4.0Sm alloys owing to the formation of rod-like Mg2Ca phases that acted as active nucleates for the Mg matrix. The as-cast Mg-4.0Sm-1.0Ca alloy showed the smallest grain size at 45 µm. Furthermore, the Mg-4.0Sm-1.0Ca alloy exhibited greater hardness, higher tensile strength, and higher yield tensile strength and elongation than the other two alloys with different Ca contents. These results were attributed to the grain refinement and precipitation strengthening of the Mg2Ca and Mg41Sm5 phases. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79707-711, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.