A novel laser cladding AlMgZnCuErZr alloy: Material genetic design, strengthening and toughening mechanisms

•A novel AlMgZnCuErZr alloy powder for laser cladding lightweight parts with high-performance has been designed using the material genetic method.•A T-AlMgZnCuZrEr phase with internal ultrafine cell-like α-Al phase different from the traditional solid structure of the T phase was first discovered.•The strengthening and toughening mechanisms of the special T-AlMgZnCuZrEr genetic phase are elucidated.•The compressive strength and deformation product of the laser cladding sample is 13.44% higher than that of high-strength AlZnMgCu alloy.