Influence of zinc on the soluble zirconium content in magnesium and the subsequent grain refinement by zirconium

Most zirconium-containing commercial magnesium alloys also contain zinc, which varies from similar to 0.5% to similar to 6.5% depending upon the given alloy system. Early work has suggested that the presence of zinc in the range from 3% to 5% could significantly increase the solubility of zirconium in magnesium, therefore enhancing the gain refinement of the final alloy by zirconium. This study investigates the influence of zinc in the range from 0% to 8% on the solubility of zirconium in pure magnesium at three different temperatures (680, 730 and 780degreesC). The effect of zinc alone as well as the combined effect of zinc and zirconium on the gain refinement of pure magnesium is also investigated.