Microstructure evolution and age-hardening response in Mg-Sn-Sm alloys under a wide range of Sm/Sn ratio

The microstructure evolution and age-hardening response for different Sm/Sn ratios (0–2.55, in wt.%) of Mg-Sn-Sm alloys were investigated. The second phase formation in as-cast alloys and the Mg₃Sm precipitates formed in aged alloys were characterized using XRD, FESEM and HAADF-STEM with EDS techniques. Results indicate that the Sm/Sn ratio has a great influence on the phase constitution, α-Mg grain size and age-hardening response. With the increment of Sm/Sn ratio, Mg₄₁Sm₅ and thermally stable MgSnSm phases precipitate. When the Sm/Sn ratio is about 1.19, the secondary dendrite arm spacing of α-Mg grains significantly decreases. Furthermore, the alloy with Sm/Sn ratio up to 2.55 exhibits the highest age-hardening response, the hardness value increases from 52 HB at solution-treated condition to 74 HB at peak-aged condition (ageing at 220 °C for a short time of 4 h). This is attributed to the large volume fraction of needle-like Mg₃Sm precipitates formed in the α-Mg matrix during ageing treatment, which results in a significant precipitation strengthening effect.