Effect of Zn concentration on the microstructure and phase formation of Mg–5Gd alloy

The effect of Zn additions (0, 1 and 2 wt%) on the microstructure and phase formation of Mg–5Gd alloy has been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analyzer (DTA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Zinc free alloy shows the negligible amount of Mg5Gd phase formation whereas 1 wt% Zn addition leads to formation of more volume of Mg5Gd phase having dissolution temperature at 518 °C. Two weight percentage of Zn addition yielded more volume of MgZn2 phase having the dissolution temperature at 333 °C but less volume of Mg5Gd phases. Moreover, 1 wt% Zn addition is found to be more favorable to the age hardening behavior as compared to 2 wt% Zn added alloy.