Effects of intermediate frequency magnetic field on the solution treatment of Mg–Gd alloy

•The thickness of diffusion layer in Gd-Mg diffusion couple was largely increased by an intermediate frequency magnetic field (IFMF).•The solution treatment of Mg-Gd alloy was also remarkably promoted by the IFMF.•These phenomena are mainly due to the enhanced atomic diffusion ability in Mg–Gd alloy under IFMF.•The results are new for Mg-RE based alloy and can be used to accelerate the solution treatment.

An intermediate frequency magnetic field (IFMF) was imposed upon Gd–Mg diffusion couples that were annealed at 773 K. It was found that the average thickness of diffusion layer under the magnetic field was much wider than that without the magnetic field, indicating that the atomic diffusion ability was enhanced. The magnetic field was then applied to the solution treatment of Mg–16.66Gd–0.088Zr (wt%) alloy. Compared with the samples without magnetic field, the area fraction of the eutectic phase (Mg5Gd phase) was evidently lower at each time point when the IFMF was imposed during the solution treatment, i.e. the solution treatment process was accelerated by the magnetic field. These two phenomena are mainly due to the enhanced atomic diffusion ability in Mg–Gd alloy under IFMF.