MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF Mg-5Li-5Al-3Zn-xCd ALLOYS.

Mg-5Li-5Al-3Zn-xCd(x=0,2,3,4,5) alloys were prepared. The densities of these alloys were measured with Archimedes' method. The influence of Cd element on the microstructure and the properties of these alloys were also studied. The results indicate that these alloys possess low density ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 g·cm^-3. The addition of Cd has the refining effect on the α-Mg phase and causes the formation of Mg₃Cd intermetallic compound. The refinement and the formation of Mg₃Cd improve the mechanical properties of alloys. When the Cd content is 3 wt.%, the tensile strength of alloy reaches its peak value(288 MPa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]