Effect of interface structure on solid-state amorphization of dual-phase Mg alloys

The interface and its structure have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the magnesium (Mg) alloys. However, the role of the interface in the solid-state amorphization process of the Mg alloys is still unclear. Here, the effect of four interface structures, namely, basal/prismatic (BP), stacking fault (SF), twin boundary (TB), and high-angle grain boundary (HAGB) on the solid-state amorphization (SSA) of the amorphous/crystalline dual-phase Mg alloys is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The results indicate that the introduction of all four interfaces increases the SSA degree of the alloys. For the four models, the SSA degree of the alloys varies from high to low in order as the BP model, the TB model, the SF model, and the HAGB model, which means that atomic diffusion has a significant dependence on the interface structure and interface energy. The results show that the interface plays two roles in the SSA process: first, it changes the structure of the amorphous–crystalline interface in contact with the interface and second, the interface with a more open structure itself is a fast channel for atomic diffusion, both of which are beneficial for the SSA of the alloys.