Adjusting compressive properties of open-cell Mg-Gd-Zn foams by variation of Gd content

Abstract Open-cell Mg-xGd-2Zn (x = 4, 6 and 8 wt.%) foams were fabricated. The phase compositions, microstructures and element distributions of the foams with different amounts of added Gd were studied by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The compressive properties of the foams were evaluated by compressive testing at the temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 300 °C. The experimental results show that an increase in the Gd content refines the microstructures of the foams and promotes the formation of long periodic stacking ordered phase. An increased temperature results in the reduction in the compressive strength and the energy absorption capacity of the foams. Additionally, the compressive strength and energy absorption capacity at each testing temperature increase with increasing Gd content. The mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed based on the relationship between the compressive properties and the Gd content of the foams.