The primary dendrite spacing of Mg–Zn alloys is correlated with solidification thermal parameters.
Zn segregation along the directionally solidified castings induced two growth regimes.
The Mg-rich matrix is formed by equiaxed grains of sixfold branched dendrites.
Functional equations relating primary dendrite arm spacing to hardness are proposed.
Hardness is shown to increase with the increase in the alloy Zn content.