Hpdc Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

A magnesium-rare earth-yttrium-zinc alloy consists of 0.2-1.5% by weight zinc and rare earth(s) (RE) and yttrium in amounts which fall within a quadrangle defined by lines AB, BC, CD and DA wherein: A is 1.8% RE-0.05% Y, B is 1.0% RE-0.05% Y, C is 0.2% RE-0.8% Y, and D is 1.8% RE-0.8% Y.

1 . A magnesium-rare earth-yttrium-zinc alloy consisting of:
 rare earth(s) (RE) and yttrium in amounts which fall within a quadrangle defined by lines AB, BC, CD, and DA wherein:   A is 1.8% RE-0.05% Y,   B is 1.0% RE-0.05% Y,   C is 0.2% RE-0.8% Y, and   D is 1.8% RE-0.8% Y;   0.2-1.5% zinc;   0-0.25% aluminium;   0-0.2% zirconium;   0-0.3% manganese;   0-0.1% oxidation inhibiting element(s), and the balance being magnesium (Mg) except for incidental impurities.   
     
     
         2 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  which contains rare earth(s) and yttrium in amounts which fall within a quadrangle defined by lined EF, FG, GH, and HE wherein:
 E is 1.5% RE-0.3% Y,   F is 1.0% RE-0.3% Y,   G is 1.0% RE-0.8% Y, and   H is 1.5% RE-0.8% Y.   
     
     
         3 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  containing at least 96.7% magnesium. 
     
     
         4 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the rare earth element(s) are selected from neodymium, cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  having a neodymium content of 0.4%-1.0% 
     
     
         6 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the content of rare earth(s) other than neodymium is 0.5-1.0%. 
     
     
         7 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  having a yttrium content of 0.1-1.6%. 
     
     
         8 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 7  having a yttrium content of 0.25%-1.25%. 
     
     
         9 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 8  having a yttrium content of 0.5-1.0%. 
     
     
         10 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  having a zinc content of 0.2%-0.7%. 
     
     
         11 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 10  having a zinc content of 0.4%-0.6%. 
     
     
         12 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  containing aluminium in an amount less than 0.25%. 
     
     
         13 . An alloy as claimed in any  claim 1  containing zirconium in an amount less than 0.2%. 
     
     
         14 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  containing manganese in an amount less than 0.3%. 
     
     
         15 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  containing beryllium in an amount less than 50 ppm. 
     
     
         16 . An alloy as claimed in  claim 1  containing calcium in an amount less than 0.1% 
     
     
         17 . A component of an internal combustion engine or automotive power train formed from an alloy as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . An engine block or portion thereof produced by high pressure die casting an alloy as claimed in  claim 1 .