Re-investigation of the La–Mg phase diagram

Literature results on the La–Mg binary system are critically reviewed. It is shown that most recent experimental results are not in agreement with the previously published assessments of the system. Thus, an experimental re-investigation of this phase diagram is required. Several alloys are synthesized from pure constitutive elements and characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis. This study clarifies the phase equilibria in the La–Mg system. These results combined with the recent study of the enthalpies of formation of the intermediate compounds of this system provide a sound basis for the Calphad optimization of the system.