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

• Published in: Advances in materials science and engineering Vol. 2017; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Miranda-Hernández, José G., Herrera-Hernández, Héctor, González-Morán, Carlos O., Rivera Olvera, Jesús Noé, Estrada-Guel, Ivanovich, Botello Villa, Fabián
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• ISSN: 1687-8434; 1687-8442
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/7967848

Mechanical ball milling assisted by sintering in the solid state was used in this research to produce the Zn-Ni x system alloy. The derivative powder compositions of Zn-Ni x ( 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-Ni x 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-Ni 10 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.