Powder metallurgy Mg-Sn alloys: Production and characterization

Abstract

In this study, Mg-Sn alloys were produced with the addition of Sn to Mg powder at different ratios through the Powder Metallurgy (P/M) method. A new mixing technique was used in the production to avoid the disadvantages of high reactivity specific to Mg powders. The prepared powder mixtures were turned into components by processing through hot pressing. The produced components were characterized by density measurements, microstructure examinations, and mechanical tests. The density measurements were made according to the Archimedes principle. The microstructural characterization was performed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) investigations, and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) analyses. The hardness measurements and tensile tests were used for determining mechanical properties. Densities close to the theoretical density were obtained in the produced parts. XRD and SEM investigations showed that the components produced were composed of alpha-Mg and Mg2Sn phases of the microstructure consisting of coaxial grains. The rising Sn content increased the amount of discrete Mg2Sn precipitates at grain boundaries, thereby ensuring higher hardness and strength values. (C) 2020 Sharif University of Technology. All rights reserved.