Abstract: A magnesium based alloy consisting of, by weight: 2-5% rare earth elements, wherein the alloy contains lanthanum and cerium as rare earth elements and the lanthanum content is greater than the cerium content; 0.2-0.8% zinc; 0-0.15% aluminium; 0-0.5% yttrium or gadolinium; 0-0.2% zirconium, 0-0.3% manganese; 0-0.1% calcium; 0-25 ppm beryllium; and the remainder being magnesium except for incidental impurities.

Abstract: A method of producing magnesium alloy strip, suitable for use in the production of magnesium alloy sheet by rolling reduction and heat treatment, involves casting magnesium alloy as strip, using a twin roll casting installation. In the casting, the thickness and temperature of the strip exiting from between rolls of the installation are controlled whereby the strip has a microstructure characterised by a primary phase having a form selected from deformed dendritic, equiaxed dendritic and a mixture of deformed and equiaxed dendritic forms. The resultant strip is amenable to production of sheet material by application of a homogenizing heat treatment followed by rolling and annealing.

Abstract: A magnesium based alloy consists of, by weight: 1.4-1.9% neodymium, 0.8-1.2% rare earth element(s) other than neodymium, 0.4-0.7% zinc, 0.3-1% zirconium, 0-0.3% manganese, and 0-0.1% oxidation inhibiting element(s) the remainder being magnesium except for incidental impurities.