Experimental study and thermodynamic assessment of ternary Mg–Zn–Ce phase relations focused on Mg-rich alloys

The Mg-rich part of the ternary Mg–Zn–Ce system was investigated by key samples to determine the solubilities, primary crystallization and invariant reactions. Ten alloys were prepared from pure elements and investigated by DTA/DSC and SEM/EDS. A consistent thermodynamic model of the ternary Mg–Zn–Ce system is developed for the first time by using the Calphad method. Phase diagram sections at constant 300 °C, at constant 85 at.% Mg and the liquidus projection of the Mg–Zn–Ce ternary system were calculated and compared with all available experimental data. The thermodynamic description is reasonably well supported by experimental data, especially in the Mg-rich region.