The microstructural evolution of a Mg-10Ni-2Mm（molar fraction,%）（Mm=Ce,La-rich mischmetal） hydrogen storage alloys applied with various solidification rates was studied.The results show that the grain size of melt-spun ribbon is remarkably reduced by increasing the solidification rate.The microcrystalline,nanocrystalline and amorphous microstructures are obtained by applying the surface velocities of the graphite wheel of 3.1,10.5 and 20.9 m/s,respectively.By applying the surface velocity of the graphite wheel of 3.1 m/s,the melt-spun specimen obtains full crystalline with a considerable amount of coarse microcrystalline Mg and Mg2Ni except for some Mm-rich particles.The amount of nanocrystalline phases significantly increases with increasing the surface velocity of the wheel to 10.5 m/s,and the microstructure is composed of a large amount of nanocrystalline phases of Mg and Mg2Ni particles.A mixed microstructure containing amorphous and nanocrystalline phases is obtained at a surface velocity of the wheel of 20.9 m/s.The optimal microstructure with a considerable amount of nanocrystalline Mg and Mg2Ni in an amorphous matrix is expected to have the maximum hydrogen absorption capacity and excellent hydrogenation kinetics.
