Three MgZnY ternary alloys in the vicinity of X, W and H phases were prepared and were isothermally heat treated at 833, 793, 723 and 673 K to attain thermodynamic equilibrium. The microstructure was observed using electron probe microanalysis and transmission electron microscopy, and the chemical compositions of the equilibrium phases were analyzed using wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the W and H phases were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, electron back scattering diffraction and electron diffraction pattern obtained by transmission electron microscopy. The MgZnY ternary phase diagrams of the isothermal section were also calculated using the Thermo-Calc to compare with the experimental results. The X phase was found to be solidified in high-Mg alloys not in a manner of eutectic reaction as reported previously but in a manner of peritectic reaction. The W phase has a Heusler (L2 1) type crystal structure with a stoichiometric composition of Mg 1 Zn 2 Y 1 , and fine mesh texture composed of ¡ (Mg) and W phases was occasionally observed in nonequilibrium solidified parts, implying that the transient W phase has potential to be utilized as an additional strengthening phase. The equilibrium chemical composition of the H phase with a hexagonal crystal structure (P6 3 /mmc) was found to be different from that of the previous reports.
To elucidate the phase equilibria in the vicinity of the X or W phase in the Mg-Zn-Y ternary system, five Mg-Zn-Y ternary alloys containing the X or W phase were prepared and isothermally heat-treated to reach thermodynamic equilibrium. The microstructure and chemical compositions of the equilibrium phases of the alloys were analyzed. Furthermore, the crystal structure of the W phase was investigated, and the liquidus temperatures of the alloys were examined using differential thermal analysis. The results showed that the X phase can be crystallized not by a eutectic reaction, as reported previously, but by a peritectic reaction. They also showed that the W phase has the Heusler-type crystal structure with a stoichiometric composition of Mg1Zn2Y1, and that Mg and Zn in the W phase can be substituted for each other. The Mg-Zn-Y ternary phase diagram was calculated using an assessed CALPHAD thermodynamic database based on the experimental results of the present study, and compared with a recently reported phase diagram.
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