Effect of Li additions on the age hardening response and precipitate microstructures of Mg-2.4Zn-0.16Zr based alloys

► Enhancement of age hardening response of Mg-2.4Zn-0.2Zr alloy by addition of 2 at% Li. ► The time to reach peak hardness has been reduced to 1/3 by adding Li. ► The enhancement of mechanical properties was attributed to the refinement in the microstructure.