A mixture of pure elements and master alloys, namely magnesium
(99.85 wt.%), zinc (99.995 wt.%), calcium (99.8 wt.%) and
Mg–Ca master alloy (99.8 wt.%), were used to form the nominal
compositions listed in Table 1. All materials were mechanically
scrubbed and placed within a boron nitrate coated graphite crucible
for melting. The melting chamber was vacuum purged with