Investigation of the crystallographic orientations of the β-Mg17Al12 precipitates in an Mg-Al-Zn-Sn alloy

•Crystallographic orientation relationship•Interface•β-Mg17Al12 precipitates

The crystallographic orientation relationships between β-Mg17Al12 precipitates and α-Mg matrix were investigated in the Mg-Al-Zn-Sn alloy. New orientation relationships were observed and the growth direction of the particles with new orientation relationships was along the [0002]α direction of the magnesium matrix. One of the orientation relationships was analyzed and identified as 12̅10α//111̅β,0001α//12̅1̅β. The stereographic projection of the newly observed orientation relationship was calculated and discussed. Moreover, the interfaces between the β-Mg17Al12 precipitates and α-Mg matrix and two β-Mg17Al12 particles were studied.