Equilibrium and non-equilibrium microstructures of Mg–Zn–Y quasicrystal alloy

Applied SEM and TEM methods, an investigation on the difference between equilibrium and non-equilibrium microstructures of Mg–Zn–Y quasicrystal alloys have been carried out. Icosahedral quasicrystal (I-phase), W-phase, and Mg7Zn3 phase have been obtained in the as-cast alloy, while the non-equilibrium microstructure, which is mainly made up of amorphous composition and stable I-phase, is gained in the as-quenched Mg–Zn–Y alloy. The mechanism of formation of the non-equilibrium microstructure in as-quenched alloy is also discussed.