Vacancy-like defects associated with icosahedral phase in Mg–Y–Nd–Zr alloys modified by the addition of Zn

Positron lifetime spectroscopy combined with other techniques was employed for the structural characterization of Mg–Y–Nd–Zr (WE43) alloy modified by the addition of Zn. A quasicrystalline icosahedral phase was formed in the alloy, thereby strengthening it. Vacancy-like defects characterized by a positron lifetime of ∼300 ps were also found, although such defects are not present in WE43 alloy without Zn. This testifies that vacancy-like defects are associated with the quasicrystalline phase.