Phase analysis of Mg-La-Nd and Mg-La-Ce alloys

► Ternary solubilities in both Mg-Nd-La and Mg-La-Ce systems were revealed. ► Thermodynamic descriptions of the two systems were developed. ► Isothermal sections at 500 °C and solidification paths of two systems evaluated. ► As-cast microstructures can be well explained aided by thermodynamic calculations.