Microstructure and elevated temperature mechanical and creep properties of Mg–4Y–3Nd–0.5Zr alloy in the product form of a large structural casting

Highlights: • A modified WE43 alloy, free of heavy rare earth elements, has been assessed. • The new alloy, Mg–4Y–3Nd–0.5Zr (wt.%), is stronger than WE43 up to 573 K. • The new alloy is more creep resistant than WE43 alloy at 473 K under 40–80 MPa. • It is promising to use neodymium to replace heavy rare earth elements in WE43. - Abstract: In order to save the invaluable heavy rare earth (HRE) elements for important functional applications, a modified version of the WE43 magnesium alloy, Mg–4Y–3Nd–0.5Zr (wt.%), free of the HRE elements, has been designed. As part of the alloy development program, a large complex component of the alloy (net product weight: 80 kg) was made via differential pressure casting. The large component was then subjected to the T6 treatment (solid solution and ageing) following established commercial practice for the T6 treatment of the WE43 alloy. A significant number of samples were prepared from the thickest section (58 mm) of the T6-treated component for both microstructural characterization and detailed property assessment. The alloy showed noticeably higher tensile strengths than did the HRE-containing WE43 alloy over the temperature range of 473–573 K. The creep resistance of the alloy was superior to that of the WE43 alloy at 473 K while being similar at 523 K. The microstructures of the alloy in the as-cast, solution treated and then aged states were characterized. The component-based detailed assessment suggests that the idea of using neodymium (Nd) to replace the HRE elements in the WE43 alloy is promising for structural applications at elevated temperatures