Hydriding and microstructure nanocrystallization of ZK60 Mg alloy by reaction milling in hydrogen

The hydriding of as-cast Mg-5.5%Zn-0.6%Zr (ZK60 Mg) (mass fraction) alloy was achieved by room-temperature reaction milling in hydrogen, with the mechanical energy serving as the driving force for the process. The hydriding progress during milling was examined by hydrogen absorption measurement, and the microstructure change was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The results show that, by room-temperature reaction milling in hydrogen, the as-cast ZK60 Mg alloy can be fully hydrided to form a nanocrystalline MgH2 single-phase microstructure. In particular, the average grain size of the MgH2 phase obtained by room-temperature reaction milling in hydrogen for 16.2 h is about 8-10 nm, and the average particle size of the as-milled hydrided powders is 2-3 μm.