Converting hcp Mg–Al–Zn alloy into bcc Mg–Li–Al–Zn alloy by electrolytic deposition and diffusion of reduced lithium atoms in a molten salt electrolyte LiCl–KCl

A body-centered cubic (bcc) Mg–12Li–9Al–1Zn (wt.%) alloy was fabricated in air by electrolysis from LiCl–KCl molten salt at 500 °C. Electrolytic deposition of Li atoms on cathode (Mg–Al–Zn alloy) and diffusion of the Li atoms formed the bcc Mg–Li–Al–Zn alloy with 12 wt.% Li and only 0.264 wt.% K. Low K concentration in the bcc Mg alloy strip after the electrolysis process resulted from 47% atomic size misfit between K and Mg atoms and low solubility of K in Mg matrix.