Modification of Fe and Al elemental powders' sintering with addition of magnesium and magnesium hydride

► Modified SHS reaction of Fe and Al elemental powders was studied in this paper. ► Changes in reaction kinetics and phases transformation were noted. ► Pure magnesium or its hydride were used to influence SHS reaction kinetics. ► Modified SHS reaction starts earlier and is less intensive for doped compositions. ► The homogeneity of final sinters was also improved after modified SHS reaction.