Solute clustering and grain boundary segregation in extruded dilute Mg–Gd alloys

Two single-phase Mg–Gd alloys (0.01 and 0.06 at.% Gd) were identically hot-deformed through an indirect extrusion process. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission microscopy observations revealed that the Gd-richer alloy, which possessed a weaker texture, had substantial Gd-solute clustering and grain boundary segregation, while the more Gd-dilute alloy, which showed a markedly stronger texture, did not. It is suggested that clustering and grain boundary segregation play a role in the modification and consequential weakening of the overall texture.