Magnesium based alloy

Abstract

A magnesium based alloy consisting of, by weight: 2-5% rare earth elements, wherein the alloy contains lanthanum and cerium as rare earth elements and the lanthanum content is greater than the cerium content; 0.2-0.8% zinc; 0-0.15% aluminium; 0-0.5% yttrium or gadolinium; 0-0.2% zirconium, 0-0.3% manganese; 0-0.1% calcium; 0-25 ppm beryllium; and the remainder being magnesium except for incidental impurities.

1 . A magnesium based alloy consisting of, by weight:
 2-5% rare earth elements, wherein the alloy contains lanthanum and cerium as rare earth elements and the lanthanum content is greater than the cerium content;   0.2-0.8% zinc;   0-0.15% aluminium;   0-0.5% yttrium or gadolinium;   0-0.2% zirconium;   0-0.3% manganese;   0-0.1% calcium;   0-25 ppm beryllium; and   the remainder being magnesium except for incidental impurities.   
     
     
         2 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ratio of lanthanum to cerium in the alloy is greater than 1:1. 
     
     
         3 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the alloy also contains neodymium as a rare earth element, and the lanthanum content of the alloy is greater than the neodymium content. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the cerium content of the alloy is greater than the neodymium content. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the neodymium content of the alloy is, by weight 0.5-2.0%. 
     
     
         8 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the neodymium content of the alloy is, by weight 0.5-1.5%. 
     
     
         9 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the total lanthanum and cerium content of the alloy is, by weight 1.5-3.5%. 
     
     
         10 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the total lanthanum and cerium content of the alloy is, by weight 1.8-3.0%. 
     
     
         11 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the total lanthanum and cerium content of the alloy is, by weight 2.0-2.8%. 
     
     
         12 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the yttrium content is by weight 0.005-0.5%. 
     
     
         13 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gadolinium content is by weight 0.005-0.5%. 
     
     
         14 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alloy consists of by weight at least 94% magnesium. 
     
     
         15 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the zinc content is by weight 0.2-0.6%. 
     
     
         16 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the aluminium content is by weight 0.05-0.15%. 
     
     
         17 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the zirconium content is less than 0.1% by weight. 
     
     
         18 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the beryllium content is by weight 8-12 ppm. 
     
     
         19 . A magnesium based alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the manganese content is by weight approximately 0.1%. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An engine block for an internal combustion engine produced by high pressure die casting an alloy as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . A component of a powertrain formed from an alloy as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         23 . An article formed from an alloy as claimed in  claim 1 .