Abstract: The Mg65Cu25Y10 melts were quenched at a temperature of 973 K under various pressures in the range of 2～5 GPa and ambient pressure. The microstructure of the solidified specimens has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and electron probe microanalysis. Experimental results show that the pressure has a great influence on the solidification microstructure of the Mg65Cu25Y10. At ambient pressure, the solidification products are Mg2(Cu,Y) and a very small amount of Y2O3 inclusion. As the pressure is above 2 GPa, a new Cu2(Y,Mg) phase appears, while Y2O3 is not observed at the pressure of 3, 4 and 5 GPa. When the pressure increases from 2 GPa to 5 GPa, the grain sizes of Mg2(Cu,Y) and Cu2(Y,Mg) decrease from 125, 96 nm to 80, 7 nm, respectively. The mechanisms for the effects of the pressure on the phase evolution and microstructure during solidification process of Mg65Cu25Y10 alloy have been discussed.

Key words: Mg65Cu25Y10 alloy, Solidification, Glass formation alility