The 18R and 14H long-period stacking ordered structures in Mg–Y–Zn alloys

The 18R and 14H long-period stacking ordered structures formed in Mg–Y–Zn alloys are examined systematically using electron diffraction and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to that reported in previous studies, the 18R structure is demonstrated to have an ordered base-centred monoclinic lattice, with Y and Zn atoms having an ordered arrangement in the closely packed planes. Furthermore, the composition of 18R is suggested to be Mg10Y1Zn1, instead of the Mg12Y1Zn1 composition that is commonly accepted. The 14H structure is also ordered. It has a hexagonal unit cell; the ordered distribution of Y and Zn atoms in the unit cell is similar to that in the 18R and its composition is Mg12Y1Zn1. The 18R unit cell has three ABCA-type building blocks arranged in the same shear direction, while the 14H unit cell has two ABCA-type building blocks arranged in opposite shear directions.