Microstructure and phase decomposition of quasi-crystal Zn60Mg30Y10 alloy

The microstructure and aging characteristics of a quasi-crystal Zn60Mg30Y10 alloy were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Typical structures of the icosahedral quasi-crystalline phase were characterized by three symmetries: 5-fold, 3-fold and 2-fold, based on which a structure model of this complex quasi-crystalline phase was proposed. Fine-dispersed precipitates were found inside the relatively stable quasi-crystalline phase during aging. Decomposition of the crystalline phase (MgZn2) was also investigated.