Taking Al-0.5 Mg-0.24 Si alloy as object

the effects of rare earth element La on the microstructure

electrical conductivity

mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Al-0.5 Mg-0.24 Si alloy were investigated. The results indicate that the combination of La with Si can generate rare earth phase LaSi

2

which promotes the transformation from the β-Al

5

FeSi phase to α-Al

8

Fe

2

Si phase. After hot rolling and heat treatment

the appropriate addition of La can enhance the electrical conductivity and tensile properties of Al-0.5 Mg-0.24 Si alloy. With the addition of 0.1% La

the electrical conductivity reaches the maximum value of 31.80 MS/m. With the addition of 0.3% La

the tensile strength and the elongation reach 175 MPa and 22%

respectively

whereas the addition of La can reduce the corrosion resistance of Al alloy.