Study of the Formation of Long Period Stacking Ordered Phases in Sputtered Thin Film Mg-Gd-Zn Alloys

Abstract

Formation of long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases can significantly improve mechanical and corrosion properties of Mg-alloys. Typically LPSO phases can be formed by quick solidification of Mg-alloys having at least two alloying elements with atomic radii higher and lower than that of Mg. Stability of LPSO phases greatly depend on amounts and ratio of alloying elements. We report formation of thin film LPSO structures produced by co-sputtering of magnesium with zinc and gadolinium having less than 10% of alloying elements. This method allows controlling the ratio of the elements in composition, deposition temperature and orientation of thin films. Pure Mg, Zn and Gd films and their alloys deposited at temperatures below 200°C have HCP Mg-based crystallographic structure with exclusively basal orientation. LPSO phases and their stacking period were detected by observation of laminar structure patterns in low-angle x-ray reflectometry scans. The study of effects of elemental composition, deposition temperature and post-annealing of room temperature-deposited films on the formation of LPSO phase showed that the co-sputtering method can be very useful and efficient for the screening of new LPSO phases without the considerable expense preparation of bulk alloy preparation.