Decagonal quasicrystals in the Zn–Mg–R alloys (R=rare-earth and Y)

We report formation of decagonal quasicrystals in the Zn–Mg–R (R=rare-earth and Y) alloys. Exemplified by the R=Dy alloy, the composition of the decagonal phase was determined as Zn58Mg40Dy2. The decagonal phase is thermodynamically stable, and probably forms through a peritectic reaction between the crystalline Zn66Mg32Dy2 and Zn–Mg liquidus phases. The existence of the decagonal phase was confirmed for R=Y, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu in addition to the Dy alloy.