Effect of calcium addition on microstructure, casting fluidity and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Ce-Zr magnesium alloy

The influence of Ca addition on the as-cast microstructure, casting fluidity and mechanical properties of the Mg-4.2Zn-1.7Ce-0.5Zr(wt.%) alloy was investigated. The results showed that the as-cast alloys consisted of α-Mg matrix, Ca-contained T-phase and Mg51Zn20 phase. Addition of 0.2 wt.%–0.6 wt.% Ca led to effective grain refinement and enhanced the fluidity of the alloys. When the content of Ca was 0.2 wt.%, the alloy exhibited the finest grain size of 35.9 μm, and the filling length was increased by approximately 55.4% compared with the quaternary alloy. The improvement of the fluidity was attributed to the grain refinement, less energy dissipation and the oxidation resistance of Ce and Ca. With an increase in Ca content, the yield strength increased gradually, whereas the ultimate tensile strength and elongation showed a decreasing tendency. Moreover, the fracture surface mode was quasi-cleavage fracture.