Platelet-zone in an age-hardening Mg-Zn-Gd alloy

TL;DR

This study investigates a unique platelet zone in an Mg-Zn-Gd alloy, revealing its structure through advanced microscopy and computational methods, and providing insights into its formation at low annealing temperatures.

Contribution

It identifies and characterizes a novel platelet zone structure in an Mg-Zn-Gd alloy using combined experimental and theoretical approaches.

Findings

Identified a unique platelet zone with three close-packed layers.

Determined the structure using scanning transmission electron microscopy.

Supported findings with first principles calculations.

Abstract

The structure of a unique platelet zone with a three close-packed layer thickness, which occurred in a Mg-1at.%Zn-2at.%Gd alloy annealed at low temperatures (<~500K), has been determined based on scanning transmission electron microscopy and first principles calculations.