Synthesis and Characterization of Zn-Nix Advanced Alloys Prepared by Mechanical Milling and Sintering at Solid-State Process

Mechanical ball milling assisted by sintering in the solid state was used in this research to produce the Zn-Nix system alloy. The derivative powder compositions of Zn-Nix (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) were obtained to study the Ni effects on the microstructural and mechanical properties. It is wo...

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Main Authors: José G. Miranda-Hernández, Héctor Herrera-Hernández, Carlos O. González-Morán, Jesús Noé Rivera Olvera, Ivanovich Estrada-Guel, Fabián Botello Villa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/7967848
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Summary:Mechanical ball milling assisted by sintering in the solid state was used in this research to produce the Zn-Nix system alloy. The derivative powder compositions of Zn-Nix (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) were obtained to study the Ni effects on the microstructural and mechanical properties. It is worth remarking that conventional methods are not appropriate for the manufacture of the Zn-Nix system alloy. The morphological structure and phases were examined by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and SEM/EDS elemental mapping, whereas the mechanical behavior was accomplished by means of a diamond indentation print (Hardness Vickers). The results showed that the intermetallic γ-ZnNi phase did not form during milling time (<4 h); it appears after the sintering process, which is associated with atomic diffusion mechanism through grain boundary at the minimum interfacial energy (ΔG256°C = −13.83 kJ·mol−1). The powder Zn-Ni10 was found to have better properties. Semispherical coarser particles were seen into the metal matrix (Zn δ-hcp structure) as segregates; however, each particle contains an intermetallic compound Zn-Ni that encloses the Ni (α-fcc structure) pure phase. The Ni-α phase was then transformed into a γ-ZnNi intermetallic compound which shifts to higher values of mechanical hardness from about 60 HV to 400 HV units.
ISSN:1687-8434
1687-8442