TY - JOUR AU - Wu, Ke AU - Zhang, Xinge AU - Wang, Wenquan AU - Shen, Faming AU - Zheng, Xin AU - Liu, Chunbai AU - Liang, Jingwei AU - Liang, Xudong AU - Zhang, Zhihui PY - 2026 TI - Achieving strength-ductility synergy in Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy fabricated by wire-arc directed energy deposition: La element addition via redox reaction of La2O3 and Mg JO - Journal of Magnesium and Alloys SN - 2213-9567 VL - 18 IS - C AB - The application of the Mg-RE alloys in the aerospace field is often limited by their strength-ductility trade-off. In this study, the effect of La2O3 with different mass percentages on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the wire arc directed energy deposition (WA-DED) manufactured Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloys was investigated. Among 4%, 8%, and 12% La2O3 specimens (the mass percentage of La2O3 in the La2O3-alcohol solution), the 8% La2O3 specimens produced a refined, equiaxed grain structure and the best strength-ductility synergy. At room temperature, the 8% La2O3 specimens exhibited excellent strength-ductility synergy, and the UTS, YS, and EL of the as-deposited (AD) specimens were 243.38 MPa, 141.81 MPa, and 22.15%, while the T6 heat-treated (T6) specimens achieved 334.71 MPa, 222.08 MPa, and 19.36%, respectively. Compared to the room-temperature mechanical properties, the T6 heat-treated 8% La2O3 samples at 250 ℃ maintain 66.21% in tensile strength, and the elongation increased by 4.81%. The enhanced strength-ductility synergy was achieved by incorporating the La elements during the WA-DED process, and the incorporation of La elements depended on a redox reaction: 3Mg+La2O3→2La+3MgO. Notably, the β1 phases (segregated Nd and La) were observed at γ1/Mg interfaces, underpinning a composite strengthening mechanism of the dislocation cutting mechanism and the dislocation bypass mechanism. These results provide a simple in-situ rare-earth reinforcement route to mitigate the strength-ductility trade-off in the Mg-RE alloys. UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jma.2025.101971 DO - 10.1016/j.jma.2025.101971