Study on as-cast microstructures and solidification process of Mg-Zn-Y Alloys

The microstructures and phases of as-cast Mg-Zn-Y alloys were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in this study. Stable icosahedral Mg30Zn60Y10 quasicrystals were obtained using common casting technique. With increasing Y content, the contents of quasicrystals increased, the distribution of quasicrystals was improved, and the morphologies of quasicrystal and other microstructures of Mg-Zn-Y alloys showed different characteristics. In addition, the solidification process of Mg-Zn-Y alloys was analyzed. Icosahedral Mg30Zn60Y10 quasicrystalline phase is easy to nucleate in slow cooling. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.