Effects of rare earth La on the microstructure and melting property of(Ag-Cu_(28))-30Sn alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

To obtain novel intermediate temperature alloy solders with a melting temperature of 400-600°C,nominal（Ag-Cu28）-30Sn alloys without or with a trace addition（0.5 or 1.0 wt.%） of rare earth（RE） element La were prepared by mechanical alloying.The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of the addition of La on the microstructures,alloying process and melting properties of（Ag-Cu28）-30Sn alloys.The results show that the addition of La produces no new phase.A trace amount of La addition can effectively refine the grain size,but the excessive addition of 1.0 wt.% La inhibits the alloying process.The influence of La on the melting temperatures of solder alloys is negligible.However,the trace addition of 0.5 wt.% La can distinctly reduce the fusion zone and improve the melting property of（Ag-Cu28）-30Sn alloys.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of the welding joint filled with microalloying 5183 aluminum welding wires

In this study, 7A52 aluminum alloy sheets of 4 mm in thickness were welded by tungsten inert gas welding using microalloying welding wires containing traces of Zr and Er. The influence of rare earth elements Zr and Er on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints was analyzed by optical microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, hardness testing, and tensile mechanical properties testing. Systematic analyses indicate that the addition of trace amounts of Er and Zr leads to the formation of fine Al3Er, Al3Zr, and Al3（Zr,Er） phases that favor significant grain refinement in the weld zone. Besides, the tensile strength and hardness of the welded joints were obviously improved with the addition of Er and Zr, as evidenced by the increase in tensile strength and elongation by 40 MPa and 1.4%, respectively, and by the welding coefficient of 73%.

Effect of rare earth on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Cu-30Ni alloy

Cu-30Ni-xRE （x = 0-0.213） alloys were prepared by a metal mould casting method. The effect of RE on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys was investigated using optical microscope, scanning electronic microscope with energy-dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical test. The results show that RE has obvious effect on refining dendrite structure and grain size, as well as on purifying the melting of Cu-30Ni alloy. With the increase of RE content, the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation increase at first and then decrease after adding RE more than 0.095 wt.%. Cu-30Ni-0.095RE alloy possesses preferable mechanical properties, i.e., the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are 308 MPa, 125 MPa, and 51.2%, respectively. The microstructure and mechanical properties are worsened with increasing RE content more than 0.095 wt.%. The improvement of mechanical properties of Cu-30Ni-0.095RE alloy is attributed to RE refining microstructure and purifying the matrix.

Study of rare earth element effect on microstructures and mechanical properties of an Al-Cu-Mg-Si cast alloy

The improvements of microstructures and properties of a high strength aluminum cast alloy were studied. The effects of rare earth elements on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the high strength cast alloy Al-Cu-Mg-Si were investigated. The result shows that the addition of rare earth elements can change the microstructures in refining the grain size of the alloy and making the needle-like and laminar eutectic Si to a granular Si. With the increase of the rare earth, the tensile strength and elongation of the alloy increase first and then fall down. The mechanical properties of the alloy will reach the highest value when the content of rare earth elements is about 0.7%.

Influence of samarium content on microstructure and mechanical properties of recycled die-cast YL112 aluminum alloys

The influence of Sm （Samarium） content on microstructure and mechanical properties of recycled die-cast YLl12 aluminum alloys was investigated. The results show that many small Sm-rich particles form in the recycled die-cast YLl12 alloys with Sm addition. At the same time, the secondary dendrite arm spacing in the YLl12 alloys modified with Sm is smaller than that of the unmodified alloy. The eutectic Si of recycled die- cast YL112-xSm alloys transforms from coarse acicular morphology to fine fibres. Mechanical properties of the investigated recycled die-cast YLl12 aluminum alloys are enhanced with Sm addition, and a maximal ultimate tensile strength value （276 MPa） and elongation （3.76%） are achieved at a Sm content of 0.6wt.%. Due to the modification of eutectic Si by Sm, numerous tearing ridges and tiny dimples on the fractures of tensile samples are observed.

Effects of samarium addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Al-Si-Cu alloy

The effects of rare earth samarium （Sm） additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Al-Si-Cu alloy were investigated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results show that Sm can effectively refine the a（Al） dendrite and the eutectic silicon. In addition, the shape of iron-rich phases changes from the Chinese script-like to slender-like ones and the volume fraction of iron-rich phases is decreased by the addition of Sm. Two kinds of Sm-rich interrnetallics are found： AlSiSm and AlSiCuSm. The plate-like AlSiCuSm phase always associates with the needle-like AISiSm phase. The mechanical properties are improved by the addition of Sm, and the good ultimate tensile strength （220 MPa） and elongation （3. 1%） are obtained from the Al-Si-Cu-1.0Sin alloy.

Effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Zn-0.63Er alloy

The microstructure evolution of the Mg 5Zn 0.63Er（mass fraction,%） alloy containing quasicrystalline phase（I-phase） under the as-cast condition was investigated via different heat treatments.The results show that apart from the precipitation of the W-phase particles,the I-phase almost dissolves into the matrix after solid solution treatment at 480℃ for 10 h（T4 state）.The solution-treated alloy was aged at 175℃ for 6-100 h（T6 state）.The ultimate tensile strength of the peak-aged alloy is approximately 261 MPa companying with an elongation of 10.5%.The improvement of the tensile strength is mainly attributed to the presence of the rod-like MgZn 2 particles.

Effects of in-situZrB_2 nanoparticles and scandium on microstructure and mechanical property of 7N01 aluminum alloy

In this study, the in-situ synthesized ZrB_(2) nanoparticles and rare earth Sc were introduced to enhance the strength and ductility of 7N01 aluminum alloy, via the generation of high-melting and uniform nanodispersoids. The microstructure and mechanical property evolution of the prepared composites and the interaction between ZrB_(2) and Sc were studied in detail. The microstructure investigation shows that the introduction of rare earth scandium(Sc) can promote the distribution of ZrB_(2) nanoparticles, by improving their wettability to the Al melt. Meanwhile, the addition of rare earth Sc also modifies the coarse Al Zn Mg Mn Fe precipitated phases, refines the matrix grains and generates high-melting Al_3(Sc,Zr)/Al_3Sc nanodispersoids. Tensile tests of the composites show that with the combinatorial introduction of ZrB_(2) and Sc, the strength and ductility of the composites are improved simultaneously compared with the corresponding 7N01 alloy, ZrB_(2) /7N01 composite and Sc/7N01 alloy. And the optimum contents of ZrB_(2) and Sc are 3 wt% and 0.2 wt% in this study. The yield strength, ultimate strength and elongation of(3 wt% ZrB_(2) +0.2 wt% Sc)/7N01 composite are 477 MPa, 506 MPa and 9.8%, increased about 18.1%, 12.2%and 38% compared to 7N01 alloy. Furthermore, the cooperation strengthening mechanisms of ZrB_(2) and Sc are also discussed.

Effects of heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-15Gd-5Y-0.5Zr alloy

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-15wt.%Gd-5 wt.%Y-0.5wt.% Zr alloy were investigated in a series of conditions. The eutectic was dissolved into the matrix and there was no evident grain growth after solntionized at 525 ℃ for 12 h. The evolution of the phase constituents from as-cast to cast-T4 was as follows： α-Mg solid solution＋Mg5（Gd,Y） entectic compound→α-Mg solid solution＋ spheroidized Mg5（Gd, Y） phase→α-Mg supersaturated solid solution＋cuboid-shaped compound （Mg2Y3Gd2）. And the precipitation sequences of Mg-15Gd-5Y-0.5Zr alloy were observed, according to the hardness response to isothermal ageing at 225-300 ℃ for 0-128 h.

Effect of Yttrium and Cerium Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AM50 Magnesium Alloy

To develop magnesium alloy with low cost, high strength and excellent elevated temperature properties, effect of Y and Ce addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of AM50 magnesium alloy was studied. Result showed that addition of small amount of Y and Ce to AM50 alloys resulted in refinement of microstructure. Owing to the improvement of microstructure, the mechanical properties of alloys at both ambient and elevated temperature were increased. AM50 alloy containing 0.6 % Ce-0.3 % Y （mass fraction） had good refinement effect and relatively ideal mechanical properties.

Effects of RE on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Extruded AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Effects of rare earth (RE) additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of the wrought AZ31 magnesium alloy were investigated. The results show that, by adding 0.3%, 0.6% and 1.0% RE elements, the as-cast microstructure can be refined, and the as-cast alloys′ elongation and tensile strength can be improved. After extrusion, the alloy with 0.3% and 0.6% RE additions obtain a finer microstructure and the best mechanical properties, but the alloy with 1.0% RE addition has the coarse Al-RE compound particles in grain boundaries which decreased elongation and tensile properties. Usually, Rare earth (RE) elements were used to improve the creep properties of aluminium-containing magnesium pressure die cast alloys at elevated temperatures. In this paper, it is also found that the high temperature strength of extruded materials can be increased by RE elements additions.

Effect of cerium on microstructure,wetting and mechanical properties of Ag-Cu-Ti filler alloy

Effect of cerium on microstructure,mechanical and wetting properties of Ag-Cu-Ti filler alloy was researched with optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.The results indicated that addition of cerium accelerated alloying of the filler alloy,enlarged supercooled region,caused microstructural refinement and dispersed distribution of intermetallic compounds.It resulted in the increase in microhardness and shear strength of Ag-Cu-Ti filler alloy.At the same time,cerium improved wet...

Effect of Neodymium on As-Cast Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ31 Wrought Alloy

Nd in the form of powder or intermediate alloy was added to AZ31 wrought alloy. The as-obtained alloy was characterized and tested with respect to its microstructure and mechanical properties. The relationship between the microstructure,mechanical properties and tensile fracture mechanism were discussed, with relevant alloys as reference for comparison. Experimental results show that the same quantity of Nd was added into AZ31 in powder form or in intermediate alloy, the absorption rate of Nd reached only 10.8% for the former case and as high as 95% for the later case. Pure Nd powder was added, no new compound was detected, but it served as reductant and purified alloy melt, resulting in improving the tensile strength while Nd was added into AZ31 as Mg-Nd intermediate alloy. The compound Al2Nd and Mg12Nd were formed in magnesium alloy, which were distributed in the matrix in the shapes of strip and particle, evidently refined the as-cast structure. The as-cast tensile strength (228 MPa) of adding pure Nd powder approximated to the figure (245 MPa) of adding Mg-Nd intermediate alloy. The tensile fracture mechanism of as-cast AZ31 transformed from cleavage fracture into quasi-cleavage fracture.

Effects of gadolinium addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–9Al alloy

This research aims to study the significance of Gd addition(0wt%–2wt%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–9Al alloy. The effect of Gd addition on the microstructure was investigated via X-ray diffraction(XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The Mg–9Al alloy contained two phases, α-Mg and β-Mg_(17)Al_(12). Alloying with Gd led to the emergence of a new rectangular-shaped phase, Al_2Gd. The grain size also decreased marginally upon Gd addition. The ultimate tensile strength and microhardness of Mg–9Al alloy increased by 23% and 19%, respectively, upon 1.5wt% Gd addition. We observed that, although Mg–9Al–2.0Gd alloy exhibited the smallest grain size(181 μm) and the highest dislocation density(5.1 × 10^(10) m^(-2)) among the investigated compositions, the Mg–9Al–1.5Gd alloy displayed the best mechanical properties. This anomalous behavior was observed because the Al_2Gd phase was uniformly distributed and present in abundance in Mg–9Al–1.5Gd alloy, whereas it was coarsened and asymmetrically conglomerated in Mg–9Al–2.0Gd.

Effect of Gd content on microstructure and dynamic mechanical properties of solution-treated Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloy

The effect of Gd content ranging from 6.5 wt.%to 8.5 wt.%on microstructure evolution and dynamic mechanical behavior of Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys was investigated by optical microscopy,X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and split Hopkinson pressure bar.The microstructure of as-cast Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys indicates that the addition of Gd can promote grain refinement in the casting.Due to the rapid cooling rate during solidification,a large amount of non-equilibrium eutectic phase Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5) appears at the grain boundary of as-cast Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys.After solution treatment at 520℃ for 6 h,the Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5) phase dissolves into the matrix,and the rare earth hydrides(REH)phase appears.The stress−strain curves validate that the solution-treated Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys with optimal Gd contents maintain excellent dynamic properties at different strain rates.It was concluded that the variation of Gd content and the agglomeration of residual REH particles and dynamically precipitated fine particles are key factors affecting dynamic mechanical properties of Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys.

Effects of Cerium on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Zn-22%Al Vibration Damping Alloy

Using natural aging and artificial aging treatment, the effects of cerium on microstructures and mechanical properties of Zn 22%Al vibration damping alloy were studied by optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results show that cerium can refine the microstructure of Zn 22%Al alloy, slow the grain growth and retain the equiaxial degree during aging. The strength of Zn 22%Al (0 07%～0 20%)Ce alloy and Zn 22%Al alloy remains constant after aging below the hot rolling temperature of 80 ℃, and cerium can improve the strength and the stability of mechanical properties of Zn 22%Al alloy.

Effect of Trace La Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Property of As-cast ADC12 Al-Alloy

The effects of addition of La on the microstructure of as-cast ADC12 A1-Alloy were investigated by using optical microscope （OM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and energy disperse spectroscopy （EDS）. The experimental results showed that the a-A1 and eutectic Si crystals were modified with the addition of 0.3 wt% La. The eutectic Si crystals showed a granular distribution. At the same time, the alloy possessed the best mechanical property. When more than 0.3 wt% La was added to ADC12 aluminum alloy, the microstructure of as-cast alloy was coarsening gradually with the increase of the content of La and the mechanical property decreased. The effect of rare earth La which was added in ADC 12 A1-Alloy for up to 0.9 wt% had been investigated in this study. The dendrites ofADC12 Al-alloy was refined obviously and the morphology of Si crystals showed a particle structure when the addition of La reached 0,3 wt%. Besides, the acicular La-rich intermetallics in the alloy deteriorated the mechanical property of alloy： To avoid this unwanted phase, the amount of added rare earth La must be less than 0.6 wt%.

Effect of Gd on microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of as-homogenized Mg-8Li-3Al-2Zn-0.2Zr alloy

The microstructure observation,tensile test,electrochemical measurement,and corrosion morphology characterization were conducted to study the effect of Gd on the microstructure,mechanical properties,and corrosion behavior of as-homogenized Mg−8Li−3Al−2Zn−0.2Zr(LAZ832−0.2Zr)alloy.The addition of trace Gd can improve the mechanical properties of as-homogenized LAZ832−0.2Zr alloy by refining the microstructure,reducing the content of AlLi softening phase,and forming Al_(2)Gd strengthening phase.Meanwhile,the addition of trace Gd can weaken the microgalvanic corrosion between matrix phase and AlLi phase,inhibit the galvanic corrosion betweenα-Mg phase andβ-Li phase,and result in the formation of dense oxide film containing Gd_(2)O_(3),thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the alloy.When the Gd content is 1.0 wt.%,the alloy shows the best comprehensive properties with the ultimate tensile strength of 189.8 MPa,elongation of 42.3%,and corrosion rate(determined by hydrogen evolution)of 0.86 mm·a^(−1).

Effect of Samarium(Sm)Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-5Cu Alloys

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of samarium addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-5Cu alloys. The microstructures were examined by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy diffraction spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis. It was found that Sm was capable significantly of affecting the microstructures of Al-5Cu alloys. When 0.4 wt% Sm was added into the alloy, the aspect ratio and the mean area of Al2Cu phase were 10.9 and 61.0 grn：. They were decreased by 31.5% and 43.3% when compared with unmodified alloy. Meanwhile, a kind of nano size strengthening Al2Sm phase was formed in Al-5Cu alloys. In addition, the differential thermal analysis results showed that Sm addition results in a decrease in the melting temperature of ct-Al and Al2Cu. And a good combination of yield strength （244.5 MPa）, ultimate tensile strength （269.4 MPa） and elongation （6.9%） was obtained when the Sm addition was 0.4 wt%. Compared with unmodified Al-5Cu alloys, they were increased by 37.6%, 35.2% and 21.1%, respectively.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ81 magnesium alloy with Y and Nd elements

The effects of rare earth(RE)elements Y and Nd(w(Y)/w(Nd)=3-2)with total content of 1%-4%on microstructures and elevated temperature mechanical properties of AZ81 magnesium alloy were investigated.The results show that,proper content of rare earth elements makes the microstructures of AZ81 magnesium alloy refine obviously and the quantity ofβ-Mg17Al12 phases reduce,and Al2Y and Al2Nd form.After solid solution treatment,with increasing content of rare earth elements,the tensile strength and elongation of the alloys(at room temperature,150 ℃and 250℃)increase first,then decrease.When the content of rare earth elements is up to 2%,the values of tensile strength at room temperature and 150 ℃are up to their maxima simultaneously,282 MPa and 212 MPa,respectively.Meanwhile,the values of elongation at room temperature and at elevated temperature are also up to their maxima,13%and 15%,respectively.