Effects of rare-earth Nd additions including 0

0.4%

0.8% and 1.2% on microstructure and mechanical proeprties of as-cast and hot-rolled Mg-3.5Zn-0.6Y alloys were investigated

respectively.The results show that the grain exhibits fine equiaxed crystals in the Mg-3.5Zn-0.6Y alloys with 0.4% and 0.8% Nd addition

and the second phases Mg41Nd5 and Mg24Y5 can be observed in the microstructure.The second phases are crushed during hot-rolling

resulting in the finement of grains.The tensile strength and elongation of as-cast Mg-3.5Zn-0.6Y-0.4Nd alloy with annealing at 400 ℃ for 12 h and of hot-rolled one with annealing at 400 ℃ for 0.5 h reach up to 234 MPa

265 MPa and 14.6%

11.7%

respectively.