Application of Nanosilicon to the Sintering of Mg-Mg2Si Interpenetrating Phases Composite

The new in situ fabrication process for Mg-Mg2Si composites composed of interpenetrating metal/intermetallic phases via powder metallurgy was characterized. To obtain the designed composite microstructure, variable nanosilicon ((n)Si) (i.e., 2, 4, and 6 vol.% (n)Si) concentrations were mixed with magnesium powders. The mixture was ordered using a sonic method. The powder mixture morphologies were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and heating and cooling-induced thermal effects were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Composite sinters were fabricated by hot-pressing the powders under a vacuum of 2.8 Pa. Shifts in the sintering temperature resulted in two observable microstructures: (1) the presence of Mg2Si and MgO intermetallic phases in alpha-Mg (580 degrees C); and (2) Mg2Si intermetallic phases in the alpha-Mg matrix enriched with bands of refined MgO (640 degrees C). Materials were characterized by light microscopy (LM) with quantitative metallography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), open porosity measurements, hardness testing, microhardness testing, and nanoindentation. The results revealed that (n)Si in applied sintering conditions ensured the formation of globular and very fine Mg2Si particles. The particles bonded with each other to form an intermetallic network. The volume fraction of this network increased with (n)Si concentration but was dependent on sintering temperature. Increasing sintering temperature intensified magnesium vaporization, affecting the composite formation mechanism and increasing the volume fraction of silicide.

Automated summary

A new in situ fabrication process for Mg-Mg2Si composites via powder metallurgy was characterized, involving interpenetrating metal/intermetallic phases. Mixing different concentrations of nanosilicon with magnesium powders and sonic ordering were key steps. The results showed that nanosilicon under specific sintering conditions ensured the formation of globular and very fine Mg2Si particles, bonding to form an intermetallic network whose volume fraction increased with nanosilicon concentration but was dependent on sintering temperature.