The alloyed layers were produced on Mg by heating the specimens in contact with pure Al powder or Al + Zn powder mixtures. The powder material acting as the source of diffusion elements was held under pressure during heating, and this led to the formation of thick, continuous layers in a short heating time (1 h). The layer formation process took place through partial melting at the substrate/powder interface. The Al-enriched layer was characterized by a eutectic structure composed of an Mg17Al12 intermetallic phase and a solid solution of Al in Mg. The Al/Zn-enriched layers produced from Al + 20% Zn and Al + 40% Zn powder mixtures consisted of Mg17(Al,Zn)12 and Mg5Al2Zn2 and a solid solution of Al and Zn in Mg. The alloyed layers had higher hardness and better wear resistance than the Mg substrate. The results of the polarization measurements show that the Al- and the Al/Zn-enriched layers provide a certain level of protection to Mg against corrosion.

This work studied the phases in the Al corner of the Al–Mn–Be phase diagram in the as-cast state and heat-treated conditions. Metallographic investigations, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used for identifying the phases. The Be contents in the identified phases were precisely determined using Auger electron spectroscopy. The results indicated that Al6Mn does not dissolve Be, whilst λ-Al4Mn dissolves up to 7 at.% Be. The average composition of the T phase, which is normally designated as Al15Mn3Be2, was 72 at.% Al, 19 at.% Mn, and 9 at.% Be. The phase with the nominal composition Be4AlMn contained more Al than Mn. The atomic ratio Al:Mn was between 1.3:1 and 2:1. The hexagonal Be-rich phase did not dissolve any Al and Mn. The icosahedral quasicrystalline (IQC) phase contained up to 45 at.% Be. The compositions of T phase, λ–Al4Mn, IQC, and Be4AlMn may vary, however, the ratio (Al + Be):Mn remained constant, and was close either to four or six indicating substitution of Al atoms with Be atoms in these phases.