Effect of Nd on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Aluminum Zinc-Based Alloy

This work mainly investigated the influence of element Nd on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Zn-25Al-5Mg-2.5Si alloys with different Nd contents. The tensile and hardness tests were carried out at room and elevated temperatures. The results show that the addition of element Nd leads to the grain refining and the formation of Al2Nd and NdZn2 phases in the microstructure, and the mechanical properties of the alloys rise at first and then drop with the increasing of Nd content. The optimization of microstructure and performance especially the tensile strength at high temperature is obtained when Nd content is 0.8 wt.%. It can result in increase of tensile strength by 48.8% and micro-hardness by 67.4% at 180。C.