Elaboration and hydriding behavior characterization of a magnesium matrix composite containing intermetallic particles

The AB(2) Laves phase intermetallic compounds, as well as magnesium metal (among a great variety of other metals and alloys) present hydriding properties of interest for practical applications in hydrogen storage devices through the formation of metallic hydrides. This fact has encouraged numerous experimental works concerning the characterization of materials by different available techniques. The appliation of internal friction measurements to study the hydriding processes of intermetallic compounds is precluded because of the fast decrepitation of the material upon few cycles of formation and decomposition of the hydrid phase. However, a composite where the intermetallic particles are included within a ductile magnesium matrix, is suitable to be studied by internal friction techniques, and possible of obtaining information about the interaction between hydrogen atoms, particles, and matrix. In the present work, it is described the elaboration of a composite material obtained by sintering a pellet prepared from a mixture of equal amounts in weight of Mg and Zr(Fe0.7Cr0.3)(2) particles, ranging in sizes up to 250 mum and 50 mum respectively. Details on some experimental procedures and discussion about the material composition are considered and correlated with morphological characteristics determined by SEM, and also assessed from the observed hydriding behavior and internal friction results.