Enhanced age hardening response by the addition of Zn in Mg–Sn alloys

The effect of Zn addition on the age hardening response of Mg–Sn alloys has been investigated. The peak hardness increased substantially from 60 HV to 80 HV with the addition of 0.5 at.% Zn. The increase in hardness is mainly attributed to the homogeneous distribution, the refinement of Mg2Sn precipitates and the increase in the number of precipitates lying on non-basal planes.