Rhinopithecus bieti at Tacheng, Yunnan: Diet and daytime activities

We collected data on diet and activity budget in a group of Rhinopithecus bieti at Tacheng (99degrees 18'E, 27degrees 36' N, between 2,700 - 3,700 m asl), Yunnan, from March 1999 to December 2000. We mainly recorded species-parts eaten with feeding scores from scanning state behaviors of one-male units in tree-crowns. We also conducted microscopic analysis of feces collected monthly. The subjects consumed 59 plant species, belonging to 42 genera in 28 families, of which 90 species-parts were distributed as follows: 21 in Winter, 38 in spring, 39 in Summer, 47 in autumn. Conversely, the group annually spent, on average, 35% of daytime feeding, 33% resting, 15% moving, and 13% in social activities. Seasonal changes are apparent in daytime budget and food item-related feeding time in tree-crowns, food remains in feces, and the number of species-parts eaten. Correlations within and between food items and time budget clearly indicate maximization of foraging effectiveness and minimization of energy expenditure. In consideration of reports from northern and southern groups, that which underlay the specific adaptation to the habitat appeared to be similar to those of other colobines. Thus, the ultimate factors for survival of the species are more hopeful than expected.

Pressure-induced phase transition of nanocrystalline zinc sulfide

In situ energy dispersive X-ray diffraction measurements on nanocrystalline zinc sulfide have been performed by using diamond anvil cell with synchrotron radiation. There is a phase transition which the ultimate structure is rocksalt when the pressure is up to 16.0GPa. Comparing the structure of body materials, the pressure of the phase transition of nano zinc sulfide is high. We fit the: Birch-Murnaghan equation of state and obtained its ambient pressure bulk modulus and its pressure derivative. The bulk modulus of nanocrystalline zinc sulfide is higher than that of body materials, it indicate that the rigidity of nanocrystalline zinc sulfide is high.

GAAS/GAALAS GRADED INDEX SEPARATE CONFINEMENT SINGLE QUANTUM-WELL SINGLE-MODE WAVE-GUIDE ELECTROABSORPTION LIGHT-MODULATOR

A GaAs/GaAlAs graded-index separate confinement single quantum well heterostructure single-mode ridge waveguide electroabsorption modulator was fabricated and investigated. For the modulator with a quantum well width of 100 angstrom and device length of 700-mu-m, an on/off ratio of 29.7 dB and estimated absorption insertion loss of 3 dB were obtained for TE polarised light with wavelength 8650 angstrom, and for TM polarisation the on/off ratio was 28.5 dB. With a switching voltage of 1 V, an on/off ratio of 15 dB was achieved. Photocurrent spectra exhibited a red shift of 600 angstrom of the absorption edge when the voltage applied to the PIN diode was varied from 0.5 to -7 V. The corresponding shift of the room temperature exciton peak energy was 96 meV.

The main factor influencing the tensile properties of surface nano-crystallized graded materials

The improved mechanical properties of surface nano-crystallized graded materials produced by surface severe plastic deformation ((SPD)-P-2) are generally owing to the effects of the refined structure, work-hardened region and compressive residual stress. However, during the (SPD)-P-2 process, residual stress is produced simultaneously with work-hardened region, the individual contribution of these two factors to the improved mechanical properties remains unclear. Numerical simulations are carried out in order to answer this question. It is found that work hardening predominates in improving the yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength of the surface nano-crystallized graded materials, while the influence of the residual stress mainly emerges at the initial stage of deformation and decreases the apparent elastic modulus of the surface nano-crystallized graded materials, which agrees well with the experimental results. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

生姜化感作用机理及其栽培模式研究

近年来，随着对作物重茬（连年种植）障碍原因的深入研究，植物的化感作用越来越受到国内外众多学者的重视。而作为重要调料和药用植物的生姜，其连作障碍也备受关注，系统地研究生姜化感作用将有助于理解和最终解决生姜连作障碍问题。本文通过研究生姜不同部位、不同浓度的水浸液对与其间作的两个物种（大豆和四季葱）种子的萌发及幼苗生长的影响，从而证明生姜化感作用的存在；并通过温室盆栽实验研究了生姜的自毒作用（即研究生姜不同部位、不同浓度的水浸液对其幼苗的形态、生理生化、光合作用、土壤酶、土壤微生物多样性及土壤养分的影响），从而揭示生姜退化和衰老的机制，并为生姜筛选出合适的间作物种提供科学依据，对生姜连作障碍提出科学的解决方法。主要研究结果如下： 1. 与对照相比，生姜所有部位（根茎、茎、叶）、所有浓度（10、20、40、 80 g l-1）的水浸液均抑制了大豆种子和葱籽的萌发率、幼苗生长、水分吸收和脂肪酶活性，并且其抑制程度随着水浸液浓度的增加而增强，其生姜各部位水浸液抑制效应的强弱顺序为茎＞叶＞根茎。这一结果表明生姜根茎、茎、叶含有能够抑制大豆种子和葱籽种子萌发和幼苗生长的水溶性化感物质。根茎是生姜的主要收获部位，而生姜的残株（主要是茎和叶）应该从大田中处理掉以减轻其抑制效应。生姜水浸液中主要化感成分包括：根茎水浸液中主要是丁香酸和伞花内脂；茎水浸液中主要是阿魏酸，且其含量最高为73.4 ug/g；叶水浸液中除了阿魏酸，其他六种物质均检测出来，但含量较高的主要有丁香酸、伞花内脂和香豆酸。 2. 生姜茎和叶不同浓度的水浸液均显著抑制了生姜幼苗的株高、每株叶片数和叶面积，其抑制程度随着水浸液浓度的增加而有所增强，而生姜幼苗每株分枝数差异不显著；同时生姜水浸液也极大程度地影响了生姜幼苗的生物量（包括地下生物量、地上生物量和总生物量，均为鲜重）。在同一浓度下，茎水浸液对生姜幼苗形态指标及生物量指标均显示出最强的抑制作用，叶水浸液次之，根茎水浸液最弱。与对照相比，低浓度的生姜根茎水浸液提高了生姜幼苗叶片内四种抗氧化酶（SOD、POD、CAT、APX）活性，高浓度的根茎水浸液抑制了四种抗氧化酶活性，而茎和叶水浸液均随着浓度的增加而抑制了四种抗氧化酶活性，三种水浸液均随着浓度的增加降低了生姜幼苗叶片内叶绿素的含量，而增加了生姜幼苗叶片的相对电导率和丙二醛含量。同时，三种水浸液均随着浓度的增加降低了生姜幼苗的光合参数（包括胞间CO2浓度、气孔导度、蒸腾速率及净光合速率）。 3. 三种生姜水浸液对所测六种土壤酶活性均产生了不同程度的影响，其中影响最大的是酸性磷酸酶和蔗糖酶，在10 g l-1 时就达到了显著水平，并且所有酶均有随着水浸液浓度增加而增大的趋势；相同部位的水浸液随着浓度的增加，细菌和真菌的数量呈增加趋势，而放线菌的数量呈减少趋势；三种生姜水浸液均随着浓度的增加降低了土壤中有机质的含量，加剧了土壤中硝态氮含量的积累，根茎水浸液对土壤有效磷、速效钾和铵态氮均显示出低浓度提高其含量而高浓度降低其含量的趋势，而茎和叶水浸液则随着浓度的增加均降低了其含量。 4. 与生姜单作相比，所有间作系统均在旺盛生长期和收获期不同程度地提高了土壤酶活性，同时也增加了土壤细菌数量及土壤微生物总数但不显著；所有间作系统在旺盛生长期和收获期均不同程度地影响了土壤真菌及放线菌数量（增加或减少），所有间作系统间的多样性指数差异不显著，除了旺盛生长期四种作物（生姜-大豆-四季葱-大蒜）的间作模式显著降低了多样性指数，其值仅为生姜单作的33.18%；生姜与大豆间作不仅提高了19.6%的生姜产量而且获得了较好的经济效益，并且，所有间作系统均显著抑制了生姜姜瘟病的发生。 5. 不同栽培模式不同程度地影响了收获期生姜的株高、分枝数、根茎产量及内在品质。其中处理2显著地促进了生姜的分枝（10.5%），同时处理2、3和4也促进了生姜的生长（株高分别增加了15.0%、11.4%和14.0%），并且这三个处理提高了生姜的产量；处理2和3能有效提高生姜块茎中维生素C（分别较单作生姜显著提高了3.29%和4.05%）、处理3显著提高了可溶性糖（8.2%）、姜辣素（4.6%）和蛋白质等有益物质的含量，降低硝酸盐有害物质的含量（处理2显著降低了14.0%），改善了姜块的外观和内在品质。并且，生姜与大豆间作具有最高的纯收入和产投比，分别较生姜单作提高了24.80%和8.8%。Recently, allelopathy has been more and more paid attentions by national and foreign scholars with profound research on reasons of crop replanted (continuous planted) obstacle. Ginger rhizome is valuable all over the world either as a spice or herbal medicine and ginger replanted obstacle is also paid attentions. Systematic research on ginger allelopathy will contribute to understanding and ultimate solving problem of ginger replanted obstacle. The effects of ginger aqueous extracts with different parts and concentrations on seed germination and early seedling growth of soybean and chive were studied in this article to testify that ginger existed allelopathy. Furthermore, ginger autotoxicity was also studied by pot experiment in greenhouse (namely research on effects of ginger aqueous extracts with different parts and concentrations on morphological indexes, physiological and biochemical indexes, photosynthesis, soil enzymes, soil microbial diversity and soil nutrients) to reveal mechanism of ginger degeneration and senescence, provide scientific basis for selecting appropriate intercropping species and put forward scientific resolvent for ginger replanted obstacle. The main results were as follows: 1. All aqueous extracts at all concentrations inhibited seed germination, seedling growth, water uptake and lipase activity of soybean and chive compared with the control, and the degree of inhibition increased with the incremental extracts concentration. The degree of toxicity of different ginger plant parts can be classified in order of decreasing inhibition as stem＞leaf＞rhizome. The results of this study suggested that rhizome, stem and leaf of ginger contained water soluble allelochemicals which could inhibit seed germination and seedling growth of soybean and chive. The rhizome is the main harvested part of ginger. The residue (mainly stems and leaves) of the ginger plant should be removed from the field so as to diminish its inhibitory effect. The main allelopathic components of three kind of aqueous extracts were as follows: Rhizome extract chiefly contained syringic acid and vmbelliferone and stem extract mainly contained frulic acid whose content was the highest (73.4 ug/g). The other six substances were detected except of frulic acid, but only contents of syringic acid, vmbelliferone and p-coumaric acid were higher. 2. Stem and leaf aqueous extracts of ginger with different concentrations significantly inhibited plant height, leaf numbers per plant and leaf area, and the degree of inhibition increased with the incremental extracts concentration. However, tiller number per plant of ginger seedling showed no significant difference. At the same time, ginger aqueous extracts also influenced biomass including under-ground biomass, above-ground biomass and total biomass (fresh weight) to a large extent. Under the same concentration, stem aqueous extract showed the mostly inhibitory effect on morphological indexes and biomass indexes of ginger seedling. Rhizome aqueous extract showed the leastly inhibitory effect and leaf aqueous extract was intervenient. Enhanced concentration of ginger aqueous extracts significantly reduced total chlorophyll content, accompanying with increases in memberane permeability (REL) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). Compared with the control, rhizome ginger aqueous extract of lower concentration (10 g l-1) increased the activities of major antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; peroxidase, POD; catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX) of ginger leaf tissue and higher concentration inhibited the activities of four antioxidant enzymes. However, stem and leaf aqueous extract inhibited the activities of four antioxidant enzymes with increase in concentration. Meanwhile, enhanced concentration of ginger aqueous extracts significantly reduced photo-parameters of ginger seedling (including CO2 concentration, stoma conductivity, net photosynthesis rate and transpiration rate). 3. Rhizome, stem and leaf ginger aqueous extract showed different effect on six soil enzyme activities, and acid phosphatase and invertase showed significant effect when aqueous extract concentration got 10 g l-1. Furthermore, six soil enzyme activities increased with increase in aqueous extract concentration. Bcterial and fungi number tended to increase while antinomyces tented to decrease with the increase in aqueous extract concentration of identical part. Ginger aqueous extracts reduced soil organic matter content with increased concentration, accompanying with NO3-—N accumulation in soil. Rhizome aqueous extract showed the same tendency for available P, available K and NH4+—N, namely lower concentration increased their contents in soil and higher concentration reduced their contents. While stem and leaf aqueous extracts reduced their contents with the increamental concentration. 4. All intercropping systems increased soil enzyme activities to different extent both at VGS and at HS compared to solo ginger. All intercropping systems increased the colony numbers of soil bacteria and total of soil microbe but not significantly either at VGS or at HS. All intercropping systems increased the colony numbers of soil fungi and actinomytes to a different extent (increase or decrease) both at VGS and at HS. For DI, difference between all cultivation patterns and S-G was not significant either at VGS or at HS except that G-S-C-G whose value was only 33.18% of S-G at VGS significantly decreased. G-S not only increased ginger yield by 19.6% but also obtained better economic benefit. Furthermore, all intercropping systems significantly inhibited occurrence of bacterial wilt of ginger. 5. Different cultivated pattern influenced plant height, tiller numbers, rhizome yields and intrinsic quality of ginger. Treatment 2 significantly facilitated tiller occurring (10.5%). Treatment 2, 3 and 4 promoted ginger growth (plant height respectively increased 15.0%、11.4% and 14.0%) and enhanced rhizome yields. Treatment 2 and 3 effectively increased vitamin C content (significantly increased 3.29% and 4.05% compared to solo ginger). Treatment 3 significantly increased contents of beneficial substances such as soluble sugar (8.2%), gingerols (4.6%) and protein. Treatment 2 significantly decreased contents of deleterious substance namely nitrate (14.0%) and improved appearance and intrinsic quality of ginger rhizome. Furthermore, treatment 2 (ginger/soybean intercropping) could obtain better economic benefit and showed the highest net income and ratio of benefit and cost whose values respectively increased by 24.80% and 8.8% compared to solo ginger.

大熊猫“盛林1号”放归监测

大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)是我国特有的珍稀濒危物种，国家Ⅰ级重点保护野生动物，被称为“国宝”。目前，大熊猫被局限在我国中西部的岷山、邛崃、大相岭、小相岭、凉山和秦岭6大山系中。对大熊猫的保护和研究，我国政府、保护生物学科研人员、社会各界及国际保护组织都做了大量的工作。根据全国三次大熊猫调查结果显示，大熊猫栖息地片段化现象依然存在，形成多个隔离的大熊猫小种群。尤其在小相岭、大相岭、岷山B和岷山C种群，大熊猫数量较少，且栖息地破碎，面临较大威胁。有的山系大熊猫种群数量些已低于最小可存活大熊猫种群的数量，如果不采取人工措施，这些种群的大熊猫存在灭绝的危险。 将圈养大熊猫放归野外，以补充野外大熊猫种群数量，增加其遗传多样性，复壮和扩大野生大熊猫种群，是大熊猫人工繁育的最终目标。为降低放归的风险性，在放归人工繁育大熊猫前，将救护存活的野生大熊猫先有计划放归野外，并对其进行跟踪监测，对积累大熊猫放归经验，进一步研究大熊猫野外生物学习性，丰富放归地大熊猫种群遗传多样性，为人工繁育大熊猫放归野外夯实基础，具有十分重要的意义。2005年8月8日，国家林业局和四川省人民政府联合将救护野生大熊猫“盛林1号”放归于龙溪－虹口国家级自然保护区内岷山B大熊猫种群栖息地，并进行系统监测研究。成功的积累了一些放归经验和放归大熊猫的生物学资料，为人工繁育大熊猫的放归奠定了一定基础。 2005年8月至2007年6月期间，我们采用GPS无线电项圈、粪便DNA检测和红外线自动触发相机陷阱的方法，对大熊猫“盛林１号”进行了追踪监测，获得了以下成果： 1.通过分析“盛林1号”放归后了活动趋势和采用两种贝叶斯方法，利用目前五大山系的已有微卫星遗传数据，检测“盛林１号”与五大山系的遗传关系的远近，推测其来源于邛崃山系的可能性较大。 2.收集了大量“盛林1号”野外生境选择数据。我们认为“盛林1号”放归后经历了应急期、初步稳定期、长途迁徙期三个阶段（这可能是今后放归大熊猫都必经的三个时期），并与当地大熊猫种群已发生交流。目前“盛林１号”仍在寻找适合的巢域。 3.结合过去监测数据分析，在放归区域大熊猫和羚牛尽管同域分布，但由于食性不同，对微生境选择还是有着很大差异，因此保护管理对策要有针对性。 4.“盛林1号”的放归是成功的。救护大熊猫异地放归工作应继续开展，但要改进放归后的监测技术。要改进现有对人工饲养大熊猫野化培训方法和放归方式，才能真正将人工繁殖个体放归野外。 Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an endangered species endemic to China. It was listed as National Protected I Class Species and is crowned as “National treasure” of China. The populations of Giant Panda are limited in 6 mountain system in Center-West of China, i.e. Mingshan, Mt. Qionglai, Mt. Daxiangling，Mt. Xiaoxiangling, Mt. Liangshan and Mt. Qinling. The results of the Third National Survey on Giant Panda showed that the habitats of Giant Panda is still fracted and Giant Panda population is divided into several isolated small populations. Population B from Mt. Daxiangling, Mt. Xiaoxiangling and Mt. Mingshan and Population C from Mt. Mingshan are very small with very fracted habitat and are more endangered. Several populations in those mountain systems are smaller than Minimum Viable Population of Giant Panda. It is very possible that those populations will be extinct without artificial help. The ultimate Goal of Reintroduction caged Giant Panda to wild is to increase wild population size and genetics diversity and rebuild and expand wild Giant Panda population. It is of significant to return rescued wild Giant Panda to wild and monitor their behavior before reintroduction artificial reproduced Giant Panda. It will increase our knowledge on reintroduction of Giant Panda. Aug 8th, 2005, “Shenglin 1”, a rescued wild Giant Panda was returned to Longxi-Hongkou National Nature Reservoir, which is habitat of Giant Panda Population B of Mt. Mingshan. A systematic monitor was carried out on “Shenglin 1”, and the successful return enriched our biological knowledge on Giant Panda reintroduction. It will be very help for future conservation work on reintroduce artificial reproduced Giant Panda. “Shenglin 1” was tracked with GPS collar, DNA in feces and infrared-trigged camera from Aug 2005 to Jun 2007. 1. Locomotion behavior and microsatellites comparison with Giant Panda from the 5 mountain systems indicated that “Shenglin 1” is possibly from Mt. Qionglai. 2. Habitat usage of “Shenglin 1” was studied. It was suggested that there were 3 phases after return, i.e. emergency response, preliminary stable phase and long distance locomotion, which could be a general process for other returned Giant Panda. It was indicated that there was some interaction between “Shenglin 1” and local population. “Shenglin 1” is seeking for suitable home range now. 3. Monitor data also indicated that microhabitat preference of Giant Panda and takin (Budorcas taxicolor) are different because of different diet, though they are sympatric. It was suggested that conservation management for the two species should be plan in particular. 4. The reintroduction of “Shenglin 1” is a successful case. The program of return rescued Giant Panda to other habitats is of value and should be continued. However, more improvement is needed for the monitor technique. More improvement is need for feralization and returning before we return artificial reproduced Giant Panda to wild.

Microstructure and mechanical property of Mg-8.31Gd-1.12Dy-0.38Zr alloy

The Mg-8.31Gd-1.12Dy-0.38Zr (mass%) alloy was prepared by casting technology, and the microstructure, age hardening behavior and mechanical property have been investigated. It is noted that the alpha-Mg and the different Mg-RE (RE = Gd/Dy) compounds are subsistent in the as-cast and annealed state samples. The age hardening behavior is observed during the investigated temperature range, and the alloy exhibits high Vickers hardness, excellent ultimate tensile strength and yield strength at peak hardness.

Influences of Gd on the microstructure and strength of Mg-4.5Zn alloy

Microstructure and mechanical properties of peak-aged Mg-4.5Zn-xGd (x=0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt.%) alloys have been investigated. The results showed that the grain size of the alloys was refined gradually with increasing Gd. Mg5Gd and Mg3Gd2Zn3 phases were found in the Gd-containing alloys. The strengths were greatly improved with Gd additions, and the highest strength level was obtained in the Mg-4.5Zn-1.5Gd alloy, in which the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were 231 MPa and 113 MPa, respectively.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-4.5Zn-xNd (x=0, 1 and 2, wt%) alloys

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-4.5Zn-xNd (x = 0, 1 and 2, wt%) alloys heat-treated at 603 K for 2 It have been investigated. T-phase (an Mg-Zn-Nd ternary phase) was observed in the Nd containing alloys. The optimal mechanical properties were obtained in the Mg-4.5Zn-1Nd alloy, and the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were 228 and 79 MPa, respectively. Through comparing with the Mg-4.5Zn alloy, the increments of ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were 51 and 17 MPa.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of the Mg-4.5Zn-xGd (x = 0, 2, 3 and 5) alloys

Microstructures and mechanical properties of the peak-aged Mg-4.5Zn-xGd (x = 0, 2, 3 and 5 wt.%) alloys have been investigated. The results showed that grain size increased with increasing Gd. Phase analysis showed that MgZn2 phase was observed in the Mg-4.5Zn alloy. While with Gd additions, Mg3Gd and Mg3Gd2Zn3 phases formed, and the volume fraction of the Mg3Gd2Zn3 phase increased with increasing Gd. Tensile test results indicated that the optimal mechanical properties were obtained in the Mg-4.5Zn-2Gd alloy, and the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were 215 MPa and 121 MPa, respectively.

Rheology, morphology and mechanical properties of compatibilized poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends

Compatibilized blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were developed using maleated PVDF (PVDF-g-MA). Excellent compatibilization between PVDF and TPU was demonstrated by theological, morphological, and mechanical measurements. The introduction of PVDF-g-MA into the PVDF/TPU blends caused an increase in viscosity and storage modulus. Much finer morphology was clearly observed by SEM. The tensile tests showed that the tensile strength and ultimate elongation achieved a significant improvement with addition of PVDF-g-MA.

Structure and mechanical properties of extruded Mg-Gd based alloy sheet

The Mg-8Gd-2Y-1Nd-0.3Zn-0.6Zr (wt.%) alloy sheet was prepared by hot extrusion technique, and the structure and mechanical properties of the extruded alloy were investigated. The results show that the alloy in different states is mainly composed of alpha-Mg solid solution and secondary phases of Mg5RE and Mg24RE5 (RE = Gd, Y and Nd). At aging temperatures from 200 degrees C to 300 degrees C the alloy exhibits obvious age-hardening response. Great improvement of mechanical properties is observed in the peak-aged state alloy (aged at 200 degrees C for 60 h), the ultimate tensile strength (sigma(b)), tensile yield strength (sigma(0.2)) and elongation (epsilon) are 376 MPa, 270 MPa and 14.2% at room temperature (RT), and 206 MPa. 153 MPa and 25.4% at 300 degrees C, respectively, the alloy exhibits high thermal stability.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of high performance Mg-Gd based alloys

The Mg-12Gd-4Y-2Nd-0.3Zn-0.6Zr (wt.%) alloy was prepared by casting technology, and the structure, age hardening behavior and mechanical properties of the alloy have been investigated. The results demonstrated that the alloy was composed of alpha-Mg matrix, a lot of dispersed Mg24RE5 (RE = Gd/Y/Nd) and Mg5RE precipitates in the as-cast and the T6 state alloys. The alloy exhibited remarkable age hardening response and excellent mechanical properties from room temperature (RT) to 300 degrees C by optimum solid solution and aging conditions. The ultimate tensile strength.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-5Y-3Nd-Zr-xGd (x=0, 2 and 4 wt.%) alloys

Mg-5Y-3Nd-0.6Zr-xGd (x = 0, 2 and 4 wt.%) alloys were prepared by metal mould casting technique, the structures and mechanical properties were investigated. The alloys were mainly composed of alpha-Mg solid solution and beta-phase. With increasing Gd content, Mg5RE phase increased and the grain was refined. The Mg-5Y-3Nd-2Gd-0.6Zr alloy exhibited highest ultimate tensile strength and Mg-5Y-3Nd-0.6Zr alloy showed highest yield strength at room temperature. With increasing amount of Gd, the thermal resistance was improved. The Mg-5Y-3Nd-4Gd-0.6Zr alloy exhibited highest UTS and YS at 250 degrees C, they were about 1.27 times higher than those of Gd-free alloy, which was mainly attributed to the increase of the beta-phase and Mg5RE strengthening phase.

Investigations of the properties of Mg-5Al-0.3Mn-xCe (x=0-3, wt.%) alloys

Mg-5Al-0.3Mn-xCe (x = 0-3, wt.%) alloys were prepared by metal mould casting method. The microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The results revealed that the main phases of as-cast Mg-5Al-0.3Mn alloy consist of alpha-Mg matrix and beta-Mg17Al12 phase. With the addition of Ce element, Al11Ce3 precipitates were formed and mainly aggregated along the grain boundaries. The amount of the Al11Ce3 precipitates increased with increasing addition of Ce, but the amount of beta-Mg17Al12 phase decreased. The highest tensile strength was obtained in Mg-5Al-0.3Mn-1.5Ce alloy. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS) and elongation at room temperature are 203 MPa, 88 MPa and 20%, separately.