New approach for synthesizing Mg-based alloys

Mg₂Ni, Mg₂Cu and MgZn₂ were synthesized by means of ball-milling plus solid-state reactions. Firstly, the mixtures of the two elemental powders, corresponding to the compositions of Mg₂Ni, Mg₂Cu and MgZn₂, were subject to ball-milling for 20 min. Then, they were pressed into pellets and sintered at temperatures below the melting points of the components. X-ray diffraction experiments show that the yields of the desired products are above 97 wt.%, higher than those prepared by the conventional metallurgical method. The hydrogenation properties of the Mg₂Ni sample synthesized by solid-state reaction are in agreement with the previously published results on alloys prepared by the conventional methods.