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The influence of Gd element and solution treatment on the microstructure of AZ31 alloy was investigated in this paper. The microstructure and phase composition were characterized by OM, SEM, EDS and XRD. The results indicate that Mg 17 Al 12 eutectic phase, scattered along the grain boundary, is suppressed effectively with Gd addition and the acicular Al 2 Gd superlattice with lamellar distribution is formed. Furthermore, the grain size of AZ31 alloy is also refined with Gd addition. In the subsequent process of solution, the migration and growth of Al 2 Gd phase conforms to Ostwald Ripening Theory. The morphology of Al 2 Gd phase becomes granular and scatterd in matrix uniformly after solution for 16 h at 813 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]