Inhomogeneous magnetoelectric coupling in a simple Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/Terfenol-D laminate composite is investigated. Four magnetic-field-induced voltage (MIV) and three electric-field-induced magnetization (EIM) resonance frequencies are caused by magnetomechanical and electromechanical resonances. The different positions in the sample have different contributions to the MIV and EIM, which are mainly related to the resonant behaviors and the corresponding strain distribution. The MIV distribution shows mirror symmetry, while the EIM distribution shows mirror antisymmetry. The EIM with different directions forms close electric-field-induced magnetic loops around Terfonel-D to meet the lowest magnetic energy. These results are helpful for the future design of magnetoelectric devices.

The effect of Gd addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-5Sn-Zn-Al alloy was investigated with variations of Gd contents. These results show that adding Gd can effectively refine the grain size and growth. In addition, the solubility of Gd increases the lattice constants ofα-Mg phase. Accordingly, the tensile properties of the as-cast Mg-5Sn-Zn-Al alloy are improved by the addition of Gd. The Mg-5Sn-Zn-Al-0.4Gd exhibits the highest tensile properties, and the values of the yield and ultimate tensile strength and elongation are 111 MPa, 188 MPa and 18.0%, respectively.

The effects of in-situ TiB2 particle fabricated from Al-Ti-B system via the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction technology on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Sn-Zn-Al alloy were investigated. The results indicate that the size of the Mg2Sn and α-Mg+Mg32(Al,Zn)49 phase becomes coarser with the increasing content of Al-Ti-B preform, meanwhile the amount of eutectic α-Mg+Mg32(Al,Zn)49 phase increases too. The addition of Al-Ti-B is favorable toward promoting the strength of composites, but deteriorates elongation. The resulting as-extruded composite material with 4 wt.% Al-Ti-B preform exhibits good overall mechanical properties with an ultimate tensile strength of 291 MPa and an elongation over 2 %.

Microstructure evolution of Mg-5Gd-2Y-2Zn-0.5Zr alloy during high temperature heat-treatment at 500°C in the time range 10-70h was investigated. The results show that after adding the element Y, the as-cast Mg-5Gd-2Y-2Zn-0.5Zr alloy forms the Mg12Zn(Y,Gd) phase with 18R-LPSO structure at the grain boundary. During heat-treatment at 500°C, the stability of 18R-LPSO structure is weakened by Gd atoms, parts of LPSO phases dissolve gradually into the matrix with time prolonged and a new type Mg(Y,Gd)Zn phase come into being. LPSO phase in the grain boundary can ensure the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the alloy, and effect of dissevering on the LPSO phase by Mg(Gd,Y)Zn phase results the decrease of UTS and elongation.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of the Mg-5Gd-2Y-2Zn-0?5Zr alloy (wt-%) in the as cast and solution treated conditions have been investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, electron probe X-ray microanalyser and transmission electron microscope. The results show that after adding the element Y, the as cast Mg-5Gd-2Y-2Zn-0?5Zr alloy forms the Mg 12 Zn(Y, Gd) phase with 18R-long period stacking ordered (LPSO) structure, and the Gd atoms in the phase can slow down the transition process of 18R to 14H in high temperature treatment. LPSO phase in the grain boundary can ensure the strength of the alloy at room and elevated temperature through effectively preventing grain boundary sliding. At 250uC, the alloy has shown the similar ultimate tensile strength and tensile yield strength under room temperature, 241 and 130 MPa respectively, and both with excellent elongation.