The phase constituent evolution of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys with the mole ratio of Y to Zn both in the as-cast and as-annealed states at the Mg-rich corner was investigated by XRD and SEM/EDS analysis and was further explained from the ternary phase diagram calculation. The results show that the formation of the secondary phases in Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys firmly depends on the mole ratio of Y to Zn, and X （Mg 12 YZn）-phase, W （Mg 3 Y 2 Zn 3 ）-phase and I （Mg 3 YZn 6 ）-phase come out in sequence as the ratio of Y to Zn decreases. The mole ratios of Y to Zn with the corresponding phase constituent are suggested quantitatively as follows： the phase constituent is α-Mg ＋ I when the mole ratio of Y to Zn is about 0.164; α-Mg ＋ I ＋W when the mole ratio of Y to Zn is in the range of 0.164 0.33;α-Mg ＋W when the mole ratio of Y to Zn is about 0.33; α-Mg ＋W＋X when the mole ratio of Y to Zn is in the range of 0.33 1.32; and α-Mg ＋X when the mole ratio of Y to Zn is about 1.32. The results also offer a guideline for alloy selection and alloy design in Mg-Zn-Y-Zr system.
