Essential Magnesium Alloys Binary Phase Diagrams and Their Thermochemical Data
Table 1
Effect of major alloying elements on Mg alloys [23].
Alloying element
Effects of Addition
Al
Increases hardness, strength, and castability while only increasing density minimally.
Ca
Improves thermal and mechanical properties as well as assists in grain refinement and creep resistance. Also, it reduces surface tension.
Ce
Improves corrosion resistance. Also, it increases plastic deformation capability, magnesium elongation, and work hardening rates. But it reduces yield strength.
Cu
Assists in increasing both room and high temperature strength.
Mn
Increases saltwater corrosion resistance within some aluminum containing alloys.
Ni
Increases both yield and ultimate strength at room temperature. Negatively impacts ductility and corrosion resistance.
Nd
Improves material strength.
Sr
Used in conjunction with other elements to enhance creep performance.
Sn
When used with aluminum it improves ductility and reduces tendency to crack during processing.
Y
Enhances high temperature strength and creep performance when combined with other rare earth metals.
Zn
Increases the alloys fluidity in casting. When added to magnesium alloys with nickel and iron impurities, it can improve corrosion resistance. Additions of 2 wt.% or greater tend to be prone to hot cracking.