Effect of Zn/Er Ratio on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of the cast Mg-Zn-Er Alloys

The microstructures and mechanical properties of the Mg-Zn-Er alloys have been investigated. The results show that the alloying elements (Zn/Er) with different ratio have a great effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the magnesium alloys, especially for the phase constitutes. Furthermore, the more attractive result is that the quasicrystalline phase, as the main secondary phase, precipitates during solidification in the alloy with addition of Zn/Er ration of 6. The cast Mg-5Zn-0.83Er alloy exhibits the ultimate tensile strength and yield tensile strength are 190MPa and 80MPa at room temperature, respectively, with an elongation of 15%.