Electron microscopy of an icosahedral phase in a rapidly solidified Al18Mg3Mn2 complex metallic alloy

Abstract

The icosahedral quasicrystal (QC) has been found to form, along with a minor amount of α-Al, in the rapidly solidified Al18Mg3Mn2 complex metallic alloy. From the compositional analysis, the QC was found to be close to (AlMg)82Mn18. The quasilattice constant (aR = 0.4604 nm) of the QC phase suggests that it is basically an Al-Mn type of Mackay quasicrystal, which conforms to the composition analysis. The rationale behind the formation of the Al-Mg-Mn ternary quasicrystal from the T-Al18Mg3Mn2 alloy is discussed. © 2008 Acta Materialia Inc.