Effect and application of rare earth element in magnesium alloys

Rare earth element played key role and validity in magnesium alloy were summarized. The behaviors of rare earth element in magnesium alloy were reviewed based on physic-chemistry of metallurgical process. The properties and application of a series of important RE-containing magnesium alloys, i.e., Mg-Zn-RE, Mg-Al-RE and Mg-RE alloys, were introduced in the company with the achievement of RE-Mg alloy in Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry. It was emphasized that the RE-containing magnesium alloys exhibited the excellent comprehensive properties, especially, in high strength/toughness, heat/creep resistance and corrosion-resistance. RE Mg alloy should be one of the important direction in the field of development of advanced magnesium alloy.