Effect of La addition on precipitation hardening in Mg–10Dy alloy

Abstract The effect of a small lanthanum (La) addition on Mg–10 wt% Dy alloy has been studied using isothermal aging at 120 °C. A combination of scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) imaging and high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) based electron tomography has been used to characterize the precipitates. β F ′ and β′ precipitates were determined, where β F ′ precipitates form a bridge connecting two β′ precipitates, thus forming a continuous network of precipitates. This network results in a significant increase in hardness.