A ternary phase observed in rapidly solidified Mg-Ca-Zn alloys

A ternary phase was found to precipitate in rapidly solidified Mg-Ca-Zn alloys. X-ray diffraction reflections of the phase closely matched reference data for Mg6Ca2Zn3. Depending on the alloy composition or heat treatment the phase interplanar distances varied. A correlation between a Zn/Ca atomic ratio in the phase and change of the interplanar distances was found. Increased Ca content in the phase leads to the phase lattice expansion and increased Zn causes phase lattice contraction. The hardness of ternary phase was evaluated using the rule of mixtures and found to be 123 ∓ 10 kg/mm2.