Magnesium alloy with 5 wt% Al, 0.35 wt% Mn and 5 wt% rare earth elements (RE) was prepared and gravity cast into a sand mould.

Microstructure investigations were conducted. Analyses of the Mg-Al-RE alloy microstructure were carried out by light microscopy,

scanning electron microscopy and the XRD technique. In the as-cast condition, the alloy was composed of α-Mg, Al11RE3 and

Al10RE2Mn7 intermetallic phases. Additionally, due to non-equilibrium solidification conditions, an Al2RE intermetallic phase was

revealed.

The gas-tungsten arc (GTA) welding behaviors of a magnesium matrix composite reinforced with SiC particles were examined in terms of

microstructure characteristics and process efficiencies. This study focused on the effects of the GTAW process parameters (like welding

current in the range of 100/200 A) on the size of the fusion zone (FZ). The analyses revealed the strong influence of the GTA welding

process on the width and depth of the fusion zone and also on the refinement of the microstructure in the fusion zone. Additionally, the

results of dendrite arm size (DAS) measurements were presented.