Formability Enhancement in Hot Extruded Magnesium Alloys

The effects of cerium (Ce), aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of hot extruded magnesium alloys have been investigated. Seven different compositions of Mg alloys — Pure Mg, Mg-0.2Ce, Mg-0.5Ce, AM30, AM50, Mg-3Al-0.2Ce and Mg-5Al-0.2Ce were hot extruded under optimized process conditions. Minor addition of Ce to Mg was found to enhance its ductility from <10% to >30% and 3 – 5% Al addition resulted in ~40% and 50% increase in strength respectively, compared to pure Mg. A combination of 5% Al and 0.2% Ce addition resulted in concurrent improvement in strength and ductility as a result of concurrent grain size refinement, texture randomization and solute strengthening.