Structural aspects of high performance Mg alloys design

Magnesium–gadolinium binary alloys exhibit good mechanical properties and high creep resistance comparable to or better than commercial WE type (Mg–Y–Nd–Zr) alloys. Combining scandium and manganese with a particular rare earth element (R.E.–Gd, Y, Ce) has a beneficial effect on the creep behaviour of complex Mg–R.E. alloys, at lower R.E. contents than in WE type alloys. They stabilise high creep resistance up to high temperatures (above 300°C) by precipitation of the stable phase Mn2Sc and by precipitation of basal plates of a Mn and R.E.-containing hexagonal phase.