Influence of rapid solidification on the mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Ce-Ag magnesium alloy

This paper presents the differences in microstructure and mechanical properties between the conventional casting and rapidly solidified Mg-Zn-Ce-Ag alloy. The experimental results showed that the mechanical properties of rapidly solidified alloy are enhanced, which can be attributed to the changes of the microstructure significantly. The grain was refined and homogeneously distributed β-Mg12Ce phase was obtained. High cooling rate refined the microstructure and changed the morphology of divorce eutectic phase. The mechanical properties of rapidly solidified alloy are high and variable. Microporosity appeared to degrade affect the mechanical properties of magnesium alloys.