The effect of lanthanum on the solidification curve and microstructure of Al-Mg alloy during eutectic solidification

The influence of rare earth lanthanum (La) on solidification cooling range, microstructure of aluminum-magnesium (Al-Mg) alloy and mechanical properties were investigated. Five kinds of Al-Mg alloys with rare earth content of La (i.e., 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt.%) were prepared. Samples were either slowly cooled in furnace or water cooled. Results indicate that the addition of the rare earth (RE) La can significantly influence the solidification range, the resultant microstructure, and tensile strength. RE La can extend the alloy solidification range, increase the solidification time, and also greatly improve the flow performance. The addition of La takes a metamorphism effect on Al-Mg alloy, resulting in that the finer the grain is obtained, the rounder the morphology becomes. RE La can significantly increase the mechanical properties for its metamorphism and reinforcement. When the La content is about 1.5 wt.%, the tensile strength of Al-Mg alloy reaches its maximum value of 314 MPa.