TEM microstructure of rapidly solidified Mg–6Zn–1Y–1Ce alloy

Rapidly solidified (RS) Mg–6Zn–1Y–1Ce ribbons were prepared by single roller melt-spinning technique. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were employed to characterize the microstructure of RS ribbons. The results show that there is high density of particles distributed within grains and at grain boundaries in the region near wheel side. The particle density is decreased in the middle region and free surface region. The alloy is predominantly composed of supersaturated α-Mg solid solution, T phase and W phase; meanwhile, a few icosahedral quasicrystalline and Mg4Zn7 particles are also observed. The T phase is confirmed having a body-centered orthorhombic structure that is transformed from the body-centered tetragonal structure Mg12Ce phase due to the partial substitution of Mg atoms by Zn.