• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2002

As-cast microstructure of Mg-rich $Mg_{68}Zn_{28}Y_4$ has been investigated by a detailed transmission electron microscopy. The as-cast $Mg_{68}Zn_{28}Y_4$ alloy consisted of three different types of phases: $10{\sim}20{\mu}m$ size primary solidification phase, dendritic phase grown from the primary phase and a eutectic structure formed at the later stage of solidification. The primary solidification phase has an icosahedral structure with a large degree of phason strain. 1/1 rhombohedral approximant phase with lattice parameters: $a=27.2{\AA}\;and\;{\alpha}=63.43^{\circ}$ is first observed in Mg-Zn-Y system. The rhombohedral structure can be obtained by introducing phason strain in the six dimensional face centered hyper-cubic lattice. The decagonal phase nucleates with orientation relationship with the icosahedral phase, and $Mg_4Zn_7$ nucleates with orientation relationship with the decagonal phase, indicating a close structural similarity between the three phases. Gradual depletion of Y during solidification plays an important role in heterogeneous nucleation of decagonal and $Mg_4Zn_7$ phases from icosahedral and decagonal phases respectively.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 1999

The stirred and thixoformed $SiC_p/AZ91HP$ Mg composites are studied on the basis of microstructural analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The products of interfacial reaction are identified as $Mg_2Si$, MgO and $Mg_{17}Al_{12}$ phases and the crystallized phases are found to be orthorhmbic $Al_6Mn$ and decagonal T phases. It is shown that $Mg_2Si$ and $Mg_{17}Al_{12}$ phases are found at the surface of $SiC_p$ and $Al_6Mn$ is found near interface and crystallized on the matrix. Phase identification is carried out by crystallographic work based on primitive cell volume, zero order Laue zone (ZOLZ) patterns and single convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns containing higher order Laue zone ring from a nanosized region.