Comparison of microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn microalloyed with Ca or Ce

The present study compared the effects of minor addition of Ca and Ce on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Zn (wt. %) alloys. Results showed that Ce or Ca refined the microstructure and affected the texture obviously. Ca weakened the intensity of basal texture, whilst a non-basal texture was obtained for Ce containing alloy. Such texture modification are related to the solid solution of solution atoms and gave rise to the improvement of ductility. Compared with Ca, Ce was more effective to modify the texture and improve the plasticity.