Microstructure and mechanical properties of WE43 magnesium alloy fabricated by direct-chill casting

High quality WE43 magnesium alloy ingots with diameter of 500 mm are successfully fabricated by direct-chill (DC) casting. The alloying elements distributed almost homogeneously across the large ingot. With the average grain size decreasing from the center to the edge of the ingot, the mechanical properties are improved gradually. After solution treatment at 525 °C for 8 h, the Mg14Nd2Y phases distributing along the grain boundaries are well...