EFFECTS OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT LANTHANUM ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF Ag-Cu-Ti SOLDER ALLOY

The effects of rare earth Lanthanum on the microstructure, the physical property and the microhardness of Ag-Cu-Ti solder alloy are studied. Experimental results indicate that the addition of Lanthanum can evidently improve the wettability and the microhardness of Ag-Cu-Ti solder alloy. Analysis results show that the increase in microhardness is related to the refining and uniform distribution of the intermetallic compounds. Proper content of Lanthanum added in Ag-Cu-Ti alloy solder can be controlled below 0.5% in mass percent.

Mechanism of Effects of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties at Elevated Temperatures of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

By using real-space recursion method,the energetics of the undoped and Al and/or RE atoms doped 7（1450）〈0001〉 symmetric tilt grain boundaries（GBs）in AZ91 alloys were investigated.Similar calculations were performed on undoped and doped bulk α Mg for comparison.The results showed that Al atoms segregated at GBs in AZ91 alloys.When RE atoms were added,they also segregated at GBs,and their segregation is stronger than Al atoms＇.Therefore,RE atoms retard the segregation of Al atoms.Calculations of interaction energy indicated that Al atoms repelled each other,and could form ordered phase with host Mg atoms.On the contrary to the case of Al,RE atoms attracted each other,they could not form ordered phase with Mg,but could form clusters.Between RE and Al,there existed attractive interaction,and this attractive interaction was the origin of Al11RE3 precipitation.Precipitation of Al11RE3 particles with high melting point and high thermal stability along GB improves high temperature properties of AZ91 alloys.

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.

Effect of Rare Earth on Microstructure of Vacuum Melting Ni-Based Self-Fluxing Alloy Coatings

The Ni-based self-fluxing alloy coating containing RE was acquired by the technique of vacuum melting on the hypoeutectoid steel (Fe-0.45%C) matrix. By X-ray diffraction, SEM and EDX, the microstructure and phase structure of section of coating and the microstructure near the interface between coating and matrix were investigated, and the effect of RE on microstructure of coating was also discussed. The results show that the microstructure of the NiCrBSi alloy coating is composed of Ni-based solid solution and a lot of massive, globular and needle secondary phases CrB, Ni_3B, Cr_7C_3, Cr_(23)C_6 among the solid solution. The metallurgical binding between steel matrix and coating is realized. RE makes needle phase of alloy coating vanish. New phases of NiB and Cr_(6.5)Ni_(2.5)Si are precipitated from alloy coating, and secondary phases of alloy coating are sphericized. Consequently, RE also hinders the diffusion of Ni, Cr and Si atoms from coating to matrix and Fe atoms from matrix to coating, holds back the dilution of Fe for NiCrBSi alloy coating, and assures the chemical composition of the alloy coating.

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.

Effect of rare earth additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloys

In order to meet the demands of high temperature components in automobile, the microstructure and mechanical properties of several new die-casting AZ91-rare earth (RE) magnesium alloys were studied. The alloys were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scan electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), tensile and creep tests. The results show that Ce addition has little effect on the mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy at high temperature, while Y and Nd addition play important role in the improvement of creep resistance. New alloys containing Y or Nd with excellent high temperature performance are selected to produce cylinder head cover of high power diesel engine of Red Flag car and oil pan of Besturn car. The new magnesium alloys with RE addition for die-casting have potential to produce power-train parts, and can greatly decrease weight.

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%.

Microstructure and corrosion behavior of as-cast ADC12 alloy with rare earth Yb addition and hot extrusion

The effects of rare earth ytterbium(Yb)addition and hot extrusion on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of as-cast ADC12 were studied by optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The experimental results demonstrate that both the Si phase andβ-Al5FeSi phase in the alloy with 0.9 wt%Yb have been remarkably refined,and the Al3Yb intermetallic compound has also been obtained.The Si,β-Al5FeSi,and rare earth phases are further refined in the alloy at 0.9 wt%Yb and hot extrusion.The results of the immersion corrosion tests and electrochemical experiments show that the corrosion current density(8.56μA/cm2)of the alloy with 0.9 wt%Yb addition and hot extrusion is 50.6%lower than the untreated alloy(17.33μA/cm2),and the polarization resistance(9252Ω·cm2)was 71.3%higher than the untreated alloy(2654Ω·cm2).The corrosion in the cathode phase in the micro-battery was refined to varying degrees attributable to the addition of Yb and hot extrusion,where the cathode reaction in the corrosion process caused a decrease of the corrosion rate.

Impact of Rare Earth Element La on Microstructure and Hot Crack Resistance of ADC12 Alloy

The impact of rare earth element La on the microstructure and hot crack resistance of ADC12 alloy was analyzed. The additive amount of La was 0%, 0.3 wt%, 0.6 wt% and 0.9 wt%, respectively. The results showed that, with the increase of the additive amount from 0% to 0.6 wt%, the grain shape of α-Al gradually varied from developed dendritic crystal into fine dendritic crystal, equiaxed crystal and spheroidal crystal; eutectic silicon varied from needle-like or tabular shape into fine rod like shape; the hot crack force of the alloy also gradually decreased. However, when the additive amount of La reached 0.9 wt%, the excessive amount of rare earth elements was segregated within grain boundary area, forming intermetallic compounds. Therefore, the grain size of α-Al, eutectic silicon and the hot crack force of the alloy all increased. In the case that the additive amount of La reached 0.6 wt%, the best metamorphism effect and most excellent hot cracking resistance capacity of alloy were presented. The poisoning effect of rare earth element on eutectic silicon and the constitutional supercooling caused by rare earth element were the major causes for alloy modification, alloy refinement, and the main reasons for the increased hot cracking resistance.

Effect of rare earth elements on the microstructure and property for magnesium alloy AM60B

The effects of rare earth elements on the microstructure and properties ofmagnesium alloy AM60B alloy were studied. Different proportions of rare earth elements were added toAM60B and the tensile tests were carried out under different temperatures. The experimental resultsshow that at room temperature the tensile strength of AM60B can be improved with the addition ofrare earth elements. The ductility of which at room or elevated temperature (120 deg C) can also beimproved, and the ductility is to some extent in proportion with the amount of rare earth elements.The ductility at 120 deg C is better than that at room temperature. The microstructure graphsdemonstrate that appropriate amount of rare earth elements (0.1 percent-0.2 percent, mass fraction)can fine AM60B's grain and improve its ductility.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast heat-resistant rare-earth magnesium alloy

Microstructure,mechanical properties and phase transformation of a heat-resistant rare-earth(RE)Mg-16.1Gd-3.5Nd-0.38Zn-0.26Zr-0.15Y(wt.%)alloy were investigated.The as-cast alloy is composed of equiaxedα-Mg matrix,net-shaped Mg5RE and Zr-rich phases.According to aging hardening curves and tensile properties variation,the optimized condition of solution treatment at 520℃for 8 h and subsequent aging at 204℃for 12 h was selected.The continuous secondary Mg5RE phase predominantly formed at grain boundaries during solidification transforms to residual discontinuousβ-Mg5RE phase and fine cuboid REH2particles after heat treatment.The annealed alloy exhibits good comprehensive tensile property at 350℃,with ultimate tensile strength of 153 MPa and elongation to fracture of 6.9%.Segregation of RE elements and eventually RE-rich precipitation at grain boundaries are responsible for the high strength at elevated temperature.

Effect of Rare Earth Metals on Microstructure of Directional Solidified Al－3Li Alloy

The effect of rare earth metals (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm and Ymm) on microstructure of directional solidified Al-3Li alloy has been studied. Results show that rare earth metals reduce the distance between primary longitudinal dendrites for Al-3Li alloy, which is related with species, content of rare earth metals and solidification rate of the alloy. RE is mainly segregated at grain boundaries. Constitutional supercooling formed in RE-rich regions during solidification is considered to be the main factor of modification of microstructure.

Microstructure evolution of rare earth Pr modified alumina-silicate short fiber-reinforced Al-Si metal matrix composites

Al-Si metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 20 vol.% alumina-silicate shot fibers (Al2O3-SiO2(sf)) were fabricated by an infiltration squeeze method. Pure Pr metal was added into these composites. The effect of Pr addition on the microstructure evolution of Al-Si MMCs was investigated by SEM,TEM,and EDS. Pr addition is favorable to make uniform microstructures with the modified eutectic Si crystal. PrAlSi phase with high contents of Pr and Si is observed on the interface between the fiber and the m...

Effect of Rare Earth on Microstructure of γ-TiAl Intermetallics

The rare earth (RE) elements (Ce, La) were added to binary Ti 47% Al alloys (atomic fraction) by Induction Skull Melting. The element Ce of 1.0 atomic percent was added individually, and La of 0.2 atomic percent was added individually. This article studied the influences of rare earth metal (Ce, La) on microstructure of as cast TiAl based alloy by XRD, SEM, EMPA and TEM measurement methodology. The results show that most of rare earth rich phases (AlCe, AlLa) are uniformly distributed in grain boundary in the shape of discontinuous network, and some particles of rare earth rich phases within the grains are mainly ellipsoids. In addition, rare earth element can obviously refine the grain size and the lamellar thickness of as cast TiAl based alloy samples. The grain size of Ti 47Al 1.0Ce 0.2La alloy reaches about 30～80 μm, and the lamellar thickness of its γ phase and α 2 phase are less than 200 and 20 nm, respectively.

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.

Effect of microstructure on impact toughness of magnesium alloys

Microstructures of as-cast and extruded ZK60-xRE （RE=Dy, Ho and Gd, x=0-5, mass fraction） alloys were investigated. Meanwhile, the impact toughness was tested and then the relationship was discussed. The results show that as-cast microstructure is refined gradually with increasing the RE content. Mg-Zn-RE new phase increases gradually, while MgZn2 phase decreases gradually to disappear. Second phase tends to distribute along grain boundary in continuous network. Extruded microstructure is refined obviously to reach the micron level. Broken second phase tends to distribute along the extrusion direction in zonal shape. Impact toughness value -nK increases from 9-17 J/cm2 for as-cast state to 26-54 J/cm2 for extruded state. With increasing the value of -nK, fracture macro-morphology changes from a rough plane via multi-plane with step to V-type plane; and from single radiation zone to two zones of fiber and shear lip, respectively. Fracture micro-morphology changes from the brittle fracture to the ductile fracture. Fine grain and few fine dispersed second phase can enhance the impact toughness of magnesium alloys effectively.

Effect of rare earth Pr on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al_2O_3-SiO_2(sf)/Al-Si composites

The Al2O3-SiO2(sf)(volume fraction,20%)/Al-12.6Si metal matrix composites(MMCs)with or without rare earth Pr addition were fabricated by infiltration squeeze method.Effect of Pr addition on microstructures and fractographs of Al-Si MMCs was investigated by SEM and TEM.Tensile properties at room temperature and 200℃were tested.It is shown that the addition of Pr is favorable to produce uniform microstructures and modify the eutectic Si crystal effectively.Compounds/intermetallics with high content of Pr are formed at the interface between short fiber and matrix.Yield strength(σ 0.2 ),ultimate tensile strength(σ b)and fracture elongation of Al-Si MMCs are improved by adding suitable amount of Pr.Compared with those values of Al-Si based MMC at 200 ℃,σ 0.2 andσ bof MMC with 0.29%Pr are increased by 33%and 55%,respectively.The tensile fracture surface of Al-Si MMCs with Pr addition presents ductile fracture features.

Effects of Cerium-Rich Rare Earth and Al-Ti-B Composite Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-Mg-Si Alloys

Modification of 6061 aluminum alloy was conducted through composite addition of cerium-rich rare earths and Al-Ti-B.Results show that the composite addition of Al-Ti-B and Ce/La element at a specific ratio notably promotes the refinement of the alloy's grains.Ce and La elements are combined with Si and other elements to form rare earth phases,improving the morphology and distribution of precipitates and mitigating the adverse effects ofβ-Fe phases on the microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy.However,excessive rare earth content poses challenges;it not only leads to a decrease in Mg-Si strengthening phase by binding with Si but also promotes the formation of larger or numerous rare earth phases that may act as initiation points for cracks,thereby impeding the improvement of the structure and performance of alloy.The composite addition of cerium-rich rare earths and Al-Ti-B not only preserves the strength of the alloy but also significantly enhances the plasticity of the 6061 as-cast alloy.At a composite addition ratio of Al-Ti-B:RE=2:1,the newly developed 6061-RE aluminum alloy exhibits increased average elongation by 50%and 45%in its as-cast and homogenized states,respectively,compared to the baseline 6061 alloy,facilitating subsequent deformation processing.After solution treatment at 540℃for 1 h and aging at 180℃for 5 h,the average ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of 6061-RE alloys reach 313.2 and 283.1 MPa,increased by 12.3%and 14.5%compared with those of the original alloy,respectively,and the average elongation is improved by 41%.

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 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.