Synthesis of decagonal Zn–Mg–RE compounds

Abstract

In this study, the formation of decagonal (d-) quasicrystals in some Zn–Mg–RE systems (with RE = Dy, Er, Ho and Tm) was investigated. For samples with composition Zn₅₈Mg₄₀ RE ₂ reported in literature, decagonal quasicrystals can be obtained as single phase after annealing the prealloys for 100 h at 350°C. However, prolonged annealing at this temperature causes transformation of the d-phase into a hexagonal phase. The d-phase could also be obtained in systems with Er and Ho under different annealing conditions. For Dy- and Er-containing samples, slow cooling (instead of quenching) from higher temperatures also yields predominantly the d-phase.

Keywords:

• decagonal quasicrystal
• Zn–Mg–RE systems
• Frank–Kasper phase