Effect of mischmetal and yttrium on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Al alloy

The effect of yttrium and mischmetal(MMs) on the as-cast and solid solution treated structures of Mg-Al alloys with different Al-contents was investigated. The results show that the MMs in Mg-Al alloy existed in rodAl4 (Ce, La)compound while Y in Mg-Al alloy in polygonal Al2 Y compound. The amount of Mg17 Al12 in Mg-Al al-loy is decreased with increasing Y or MMs addition, and Mg17 Al12 intermetallic compound is changed from continu-ous network to discontinuous one. The Al4 (Ce, La) and Al2 Y compounds are not dissolved into Mg-Al alloy matrixduring solid solution treatment so that their high heat stability can be exhibited. The experiment of mechanical prop-erties indicate that elongation and impact toughness of the Mg-Al-Y alloy with polygonal Al2 Y compound are higherthan those of Mg-Al-MMs alloy with rod Al4 (Ce, La) compound.