Effect of lanthanum addition on the microstructure of Mg-4Al alloy

Abstract EN

This research was to determine the effect of rare earth metal (REM) on the as-cast microstructure of Mg-4Al alloy. The rare earth metal used here is Lanthanum to produce Mg-4Al-1.5La alloy.

The microstructure was characterized by optical microscopy.

The phases of this alloy were identified by X-ray diffraction.

The microstructure of Mg-4Al consists of α-Mg and grain boundaries with precipitated phase particles.

With the addition of Lanthanum, three distinct phases were identified in the X-ray diffraction patterns of the as cast Mg-4Al-1.5La : Mg, Al11La3, Al4La.

The Mg17Al12 phase was not detected.

The addition of Lanthanium increases the hardness and decrease the wear rate of Mg-4Al.