Effect of Zirconium on Magnesium-Thorium and Magnesium-Thorium-Cerium Alloys

Data are presented in this paper to show that addition of zirconium to sand-cast Mg-Th alloys effects a marked decrease in the grain size of these alloys which is accompanied by a significant increase in the mechanical properties over the entire range of thorium content investigated. The beneficial effect of zirconium on the strength properties is maintained at elevated temperatures up to 700°F. In addition the alloys exhibit exceptionally high creep resistance at temperatures up to 600°F. Zirconium does not greatly improve the strength or creep characteristics of extruded Mg-Th alloys. Cerium is not a desirable addition to Mg-Th-Zr alloys.