Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behavior of a new WE43 alloy

  • Published:
Rare Metals Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The microstructures, mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of a new WE43 alloy (Mg–4Y–1.6Nd–2Sm–0.5Zr) were investigated. The microstructure of the as-cast alloy includes a Mg matrix, Mg41Sm5, Mg41Nd5 and Mg24Y5 eutectic phases, as well as β-phase. After an optimal solution treatment, the eutectic phases are almost completely dissolved; only a few spots of blocky Mg–Y compounds remain at grain boundaries. After an aging treatment, a large amount of β′-phases are dispersed and precipitated at the grain interior, which provides good comprehensive mechanical properties of the alloy, particularly in the under-aged state. The tensile strength is up to 290 MPa, the yield strength reaches 209 MPa, and the elongation is slightly improved. Furthermore, the fracture behaviors of the studied alloy in different states significantly differ. In addition, a comparison of mechanical properties of the new WE43, traditional WE43 and other modified WE43 alloys is presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang WL, Xiao DH, Li T, Du JD, Ding DY. Microstructure and mechanical properties of two-stage aged Al–Cu–Mg–Ag–Sm alloy. Rare Met. 2019;38(1):42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang Y, Xiong BQ, Li ZH, Huang SH, Wen K, Li XW, Zhang YA. As-cast microstructure of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Zr alloy containing trace amount of Sc. Rare Met. 2019;38(4):343.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Zhang M, Deng WL, Yang XN, Wang YK, Hang RQ, Deng KK, Huang XB. In vitro biodegradability of Mg–2Gd–xZn alloys with different Zn contents and solution treatments. Rare Met. 2019;38(7):620.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Deng KK, Shi JY, Wang CJ, Wang XJ, Wu YW, Nie KB, Wu K. Microstructure and strengthening mechanism of bimodal size particle reinforced magnesium matrix composite. Compos A. 2012;43(8):1280.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Qiu X, Yang Q, Guan K, Bu FQ, Cao ZY, Liu YB, Meng J. Microstructures and tensile properties of Mg-Zn-(Gd)-Zr alloys extruded at various temperatures. Rare Met. 2017;36(12):962.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wang G, Guo CX, Pang SJ. Thermal stability, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of a Mg-Cu-Ag-Gd metallic glass with Nd addition. Rare Met. 2017;36(3):183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Jiang HS, Qiao XG, Zheng MY, Wu K, Xu C, Kamado S. The partial substitution of Y with Gd on microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast and as-extruded Mg-10Zn-6Y-0.5Zr alloy. Mater Charact. 2018;135:96.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Yu HH, Li CZ, Xin YC, Chapuis A, Huang XX, Liu Q. The mechanism for the high dependence of the Hall-Petch slope for twinning/slip on texture in Mg alloys. Acta Mater. 2017;128:313.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Liu H, Ju J, Bai J, Yang XY, Li YH, Jiang JH, Ma AH. Microstructure and mechanical property of Mg-10Gd-2Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr alloy processed by eight-pass equal-channel angular pressing. Rare Met. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-018-1022-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Jung IH, Sanjari M, Kim J, Yue S. Role of RE in the deformation and recrystallization of Mg alloy and a new alloy design concept for Mg-RE alloys. Scripta Mater. 2015;102:1.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Yue XD, Li JR, Wang XG. The microstructure of a single crystal superalloy after different aging heat treatments. Rare Met. 2018;37(3):210.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Tekumalla S, Seetharaman S, Almajid A, Gupta M. Mechanical properties of magnesium-rare earth alloy systems: a review. Metals. 2014;5(1):1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Liu HH, Ning ZL, Sun HC, Cao FY, Wang H, Zhao XY, Sun JF. Microstructure and elevated-temperature tensile properties of differential pressure sand cast Mg-4Y-3Nd-0.5Zr alloy. China Foundry. 2016;13(1):30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhou L, Liu Y, Zhang J, Kang Z. Microstructure and mechanical properties of equal channel angular pressed Mg-Y-RE-Zr alloy. Mater Sci Technol. 2016;32(10):969.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kubásek J, Dvorský D, Čavojský M, Vojtěch D, Beronská N, Fousová M. Superior properties of Mg-4Y-3RE-Zr alloy prepared by powder metallurgy. J Mater Sci Technol. 2017;33(7):652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Liu HH, Ning ZL, Yi JY, Ma Q, Sun HC, Huang YJ, Sun JF. Effect of Dy addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-4Y-3Nd-0.4Zr alloy. Chin J Nonferrous Met. 2017;27(4):979.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Liu ZJ, Wu GH, Liu WC, Pang S, Ding WJ. Effect of heat treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of sand-cast Mg-4Y-2Nd-1Gd-0.4Zr magnesium alloy. Chin J Nonferrous Met. 2012;22(7):1540.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Fu PH, Peng LM, Jiang HY, Zhang ZY, Zhai CQ. Fracture behavior and mechanical properties of Mg-4Y-2Nd-1Gd-0.4Zr (wt%) alloy at room temperature. Mater Sci Eng A. 2008;486(1–2):572.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Li DQ, Wang QD, Ding WJ. Effects of samarium on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Y-Sm-Zr alloys during thermo-mechanical treatments. J Mater Sci. 2009;44(12):3049.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Li DQ, Wang QD, Ding WJ, Blandin JJ, SuÉRy M. Influence of extrusion temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-4Y-4Sm-0.5Zr alloy. Chin J Nonferrous Met. 2010;20(7):1311.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Wang XJ, Xu DK, Wu RZ, Chen XB, Peng QM, Jin L, Xin YC, Zhang ZQ, Liu Y, Chen XH, Deng KK, Wang HY. What is going on in magnesium alloys? J Mater Sci Technol. 2017;34(2):245.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Liu NY, Zhang ZY, Peng LM, Ding WJ. Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd-Sm-Zr alloys. Mater Sci Eng A. 2015;627:223.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Xu L, Liu CM, Wan YC, Wang X, Xiao HC. Effects of heat treatments on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-4Y-2.5Nd-0.7Zr alloy. Mater Sci Eng A. 2012;558:1.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Zhang HH, Fan JF, Zhang L, Wu GH, Liu WC, Cui WD, Feng S. Effect of heat treatment on microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of sand-cast Mg-4Y-3Nd-1Gd-0.2Zn-0.5Zr alloy. Mater Sci Eng A. 2016;677:411.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Li YJ, Zhang K, Zhang Y, Li XG, Ma ML. Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Mg-5Y-5Gd-xNd-0.5Zr magnesium alloys at different states. Rare Met. 2010;29(3):317.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Yin H, Liu ZL, Liu XQ, Fan RY, Liu Y, Li J. Effects of Al addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-4Y alloys. Mater Sci Technol. 2017;33(18):2188.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Liu QZ, Ding XF, Liu YP, Wei XJ. Analysis on micro-structure and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd-Y-Nd-Zr alloy and its reinforcement mechanism. J Alloys Comp. 2017;690:961.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Tian Z, Yang Q, Guan K, Meng J, Cao ZY. Microstructure and mechanical properties of a peak-aged Mg-5Y-2.5Nd-1.5Gd-0.5Zr casting alloy. J Alloys Comp. 2018;731:704.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Kang YH, Yan H, Chen RS. Effects of heat treatment on the precipitates and mechanical properties of sand-cast Mg-4Y-2.3Nd-1Gd-0.6Zr magnesium alloy. Mater Sci Eng A. 2015;645:361.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Zhao SC, Guo EJ, Cao GJ, Wang LP, Lun YC, Feng YC. Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy processed by integrated extrusion and equal channel angular pressing. J Alloys Comp. 2017;705:118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Li DQ, Wang QD, Ding WJ. Characterization of phases in Mg-4Y-4Sm-0.5Zr alloy processed by heat treatment. Mater Sci Eng A. 2006;428(1–2):295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Xin RL, Li L, Zeng K, Song B, Liu Q. Structural examination of aging precipitation in a Mg-Y-Nd alloy at different temperatures. Mater Charact. 2011;62(5):535.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (No. E2018045).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, 150040, China

    Gui-Long Jia, Li-Ping Wang, Yi-Cheng Feng, Er-Jun Guo, Yan-Hong Chen & Chang-Liang Wang

Authors
  1. Gui-Long Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li-Ping Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yi-Cheng Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  4. Er-Jun Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yan-Hong Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  6. Chang-Liang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yi-Cheng Feng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jia, GL., Wang, LP., Feng, YC. et al. Microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behavior of a new WE43 alloy. Rare Met. 40, 2197–2205 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-020-01423-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-020-01423-3

Keywords