Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 January 2014
The effect of compositional changes on the glass forming ability of Mg alloys containing Y was studied. Four rapidly-solidified Mg-alloys were investigated: Mg91Y7.5La1.5, Mg85Y12La3, Mg86Y9.5Cu2.5La2 and Mg82Y11La4Eu3. XRD and DSC spectra revealed that the Mg86Y9.5Cu2.5La2 was the most amorphous out of the investigated alloys. A model based on a spinodal-like decomposition of a supercooled liquid alloy was developed. The model provides qualitative and quantitative explanation for the variation in glass forming ability.