Tracing the microstructures, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of low-temperature extruded Mg-Mn alloys with various cerium additions

The effects of Ce additions on the microstructures, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of lowtemperature extruded Mg-0.9Mn (wt%) alloy were systematically investigated in the present work. Experimental results indicated that Ce additions obviously refined the dynamic recrystallized grain and strongly delay the dynamic recrystallization process by synergistic precipitation of Mg12Ce with alpha-Mn. Compared with the Cefree alloy, the increased dislocation strengthening and precipitate strengthening effectively improved the strength of Ce-containing alloys, although the grain boundary strengthening was decreased. The thermal conductivity was gradually increased with increasing Ce content after low-temperature extrusion, and the Mg0.9Mn-0.9Ce (wt%) alloy exhibited comprehensive properties with a tensile yield strength of 320 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 378 MPa, fracture elongation of 7.4% and thermal conductivity of 121.2 W/(m center dot K). This work discovered that Mg-Mn-Ce-based alloys can be developed to have high strength and high thermal conductivity, which is important for expanding the industrial applications of Mg alloys.

Automated summary

The effects of Ce additions on the microstructures, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of lowtemperature extruded Mg-0.9Mn (wt%) alloy were investigated. Ce additions refined the dynamic recrystallized grain and delayed the process. The strength of Ce-containing alloys was improved due to increased dislocation strengthening and precipitate strengthening. The thermal conductivity gradually increased with increasing Ce content. The Mg0.9Mn-0.9Ce (wt%) alloy exhibited comprehensive properties with high strength and high thermal conductivity. This work is important for expanding the industrial applications of Mg alloys.