Influence of cerium on texture and ductility of magnesium extrusions

Unalloyed Mg and Mg-0.2%Ce alloy were extruded as solid rounds at 400°C in a 500 ton vertical extrusion press at 10 mm/sec. Tensile tests revealed a significant increase in elongation with only a small Ce addition of 0.2%. The addition of cerium caused a decrease in yield strength and an increase in work hardening delaying the onset of instability. EBSD analysis shows that the small Ce addition markedly alters the texture of the extruded rods …