Effect of rare earths on phase transformation in as-cast ZA27 alloy dur-ing compressive creep

The effect of the mixed rare earths of Ce on the phase transformation in as cast ZA27 alloy during compressive creep was investigated under 37 MPa and at 160℃ by X-ray diffraction technique and SEM. The results showed that the as cast microstructure of ZA27-RE alloy consisted of a dendritic Al-rich a’ surrounded by Zn-rich β’ phase, interdendritic ε phase and Zn-rich η phase together with a complex Z phase which was a complex constitute compound, (RE,Cu)Al5Zn16, dispersed in crystal interfaces or branch crystal interfaces and stable during compressive creep test at 160’C. The phase transformations of ZA27-RE alloy, decomposition of β’ phase and four transformation, were delayed by the addition of rare earths, also the lamellar structure and the spheroidized structure in ZA27-RE alloy were finer than in ZA27 alloy during compressive creep test at 160℃ at the same creep time, and the compressive creep resistance of ZA27-RE alloy was higher than that of ZA27 alloy.