Formation of icosahedral-hexagonal H phase nano-composites in Mg-Zn-Y alloys

A reaction is identified in formation of icosahedral phase in dilute Mg-Zn-Y alloys, involving a hexagonal phase H-Zn3MgY (a = 0.918, c = 0.95 nm). The crystallographic relationship and the interface between the H and the icosahedral phase are described. Formation of an icosahedral-H phase nano-composite in a Mg93Zn6Y alloy is shown. (C) 2004 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.