Atomic-scale investigation of precipitate phases in QE22 Mg alloy

Precipitation-hardenable commercial Mg alloy QE22(Mg-2.5Ag-2.ONd-0.7Zr,wt.%)has excellent mechan-ical properties,but precipitates in this alloy have not been well understood.In this work,precipitate phasesγ",γ,andδformed during the isothermal ageing process at 150,200,250,and 300℃have been characterized using atomic-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron mi-croscopy and atomic-scale energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.The morphology,crystal structure,and orientation relationship of these precipitate phases have been determined.Domain boundaries usually exist in a singleγparticle,which can be characterized by a separation vector of[1(1)01]_(α).Theδphase forms in situ from its precursorγphase,consequently leading to the formation of three different variants within a single 8 particle.The nucleation of theδphase is strongly related to the domain boundaries of the y phase.The formation of theγphase may be promoted by its precursorγ"phase.The similarities in atomic structures of theγ",γ,andδphases are described and discussed,indicating that transfor-mations between these precipitate phases can be accomplished through the diffusion of added alloying elements.