A novel strengthening mechanism in crystalline/amorphous dual-phase Mg alloys: A molecular dynamics study

•A novel strengthening mechanism by extended dislocation in the dual-phase mg alloys is found.•The larger the radius of the amorphous nanopillar, the more obvious the strengthening effect.•The strengthening effect is actually due to the attraction between dislocation and ACI.•The strengthening behavior can be changed by introducing rare earth element Y.