Effect of dysprosium on the kinetics and structural transformations during the decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution in magnesium–samarium alloys

Abstract

The effect of dysprosium added in the amounts such that it does not form an individual phase in equilibrium with solid magnesium on the decomposition of the supersaturated magnesium solid solution in Mg–Sm alloys is studied. The presence of dysprosium in Mg–Sm alloys is found to retard the decomposition of the supersaturated magnesium solid solution and to increase the hardening effect upon aging. When these alloys are aged, dysprosium is partly retained in the magnesium solid solution and partly enters into the compositions of the phases that form during the decomposition of the solid solution and are characteristic of Mg–Sm alloys.