Effect of Al additions on grain refinement and mechanical properties of Mg–Sm alloys.

The effect of Al additions on grain refinement and mechanical properties of Mg–Sm alloys has been investigated. The addition of 3 wt.% Al led to significant grain refinement of Mg– x Sm ( x = 4, 6 and 8 wt.%) alloys due to the formation of Al 2 Sm particles which acted as active nucleant particles for the Mg matrix. An orientation relationship ( 1 ¯ 1 1 ) Al 2 S m / / ( 0 0 0 2 ) Mg , [ 1 ¯ 2 ¯ 1 ] Al 2 Sm / / [ 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ] Mg , [ 0 1 ¯ 1 ] Al 2 Sm / / [ 0 1 1 ¯ 0 ] Mg was reproducibly observed between α-Mg and Al 2 Sm. Furthermore, the Mg–4Sm alloy refined by Al additions had higher ultimate tensile strength and elongation than that refined by Zr which is considered as the most potent grain refiner for Mg alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]