Effect of Ce Addition on Microstructure and Texture Characteristics of AZ80 Magnesium Alloy

Micro-structure and morphology of as-cast, homogenized and extruded AZ80 and AZ80-Ce magnesium alloys were characterized and analyzed with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). Effects of rare-earth Ce addition on the micro-structure and texture characteristics of as-cast, homogenized and extruded AZ80 alloys were investigated. The results show that after adding the rare earth element Ce, the coarse eutectic micro-structure with β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ is refined and changes from continuous reticular distribution to intermittent, needle-like and block-like Al-Ce phases can be found in the micro-structure. After extrusion deformation, the texture characteristics of AZ80 plate are obvious, the c axis of the recrystallized grain is perpendicular to ND-ED by the addition of Ce (ND represents the normal direction of the plate plane, and ED is the intersection of the direction of the plate extrusion).