Effects of Zn on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and damping capacity of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys

► Novel paper to research the damping capacity of the Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloy. ► Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys with different phase compositions are obtained by controlling the element Zn contents. ► The contribution of the different phases including the W-phase and long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase to the mechanical properties and damping capacities of the Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys are analyzed synthetically. ► The damping capacities of the Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys are analyzed and discussed by Granato-Lücke theory and G-L plots.