Synthesis and effect of Misch metal on mechanical properties of conventional cast Mg–Al–Zn–Sn–Pb alloy system

Magnesium alloys are increasingly accepted in automobile industry owing to their greater strength-to-weight ratio. These qualities lead to less vehicle weight and better fuel economy. Therefore, in the present work an effort has been made to develop a new Mg alloy system that exhibits greater ductility together with greater mechanical strength. Misch metal is added in Mg-based alloys to investigate the changes in mechanical properties. The microstructure of alloys Mg–4Al–3Zn–3Sn–3Pb (H1) and Mg–4Al–3Zn–3Sn–3Pb–0.5MM (H2) are dendritic in nature while for Mg–3Zn–3Sn–3Pb–2Si (H3) the “Chinese script” Mg₂Si intermetallic structure was obtained. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of Mg–4Al–3Zn–3Sn–3Pb–0.5MM (H2) alloy are about 40% and 100 % higher than that of H3 alloy. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and percentage elongation of H2 alloy are 170 MPa, 44 MPa, and 3.4%, respectively.